A slow start proved too much to overcome for the Yakima Valley women's basketball team on Saturday, resulting in a 92-73 home loss to Spokane. The Yaks fell behind 27-12 after one quarter and trailed by 28 at halftime before closing the gap with a much-improved second half.

Britany Phillips scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Clarissa Schrock added 14 as YVC finished the game on a 48-39 run. Madisen King delivered 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals, Abby Gilbert scored eight points, and Jada Mendoza produced nine points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals off the bench. The Yaks shot 38.8% (26-of-67) from the field and 33.3% (6-of-18) from long range, including two each by Schrock, Gilbert and Mendoza. They also came up short in the rebounding battle, 39-32, falling to 2-5 in the NWAC East and 7-13 overall.

YVC will try to halt a five-game losing skid on Wednesday at home against last-place Blue Mountain — a team they defeated on Jan. 8 to begin league play. The Yaks will then host Wenatchee on Saturday afternoon.