The Yakima Valley men's basketball team bounced back from a road loss to first-place Treasure Valley last Wednesday to take down Walla Walla on Saturday and keep its playoff hopes alive.
 

The Yaks shot 54.8% (34-of-62) from the field and outscored the Warriors 42-32 in the second half on the way to a 100-87 victory at Sherar Gymnasium. Koby McClure led the offense with 29 points, including a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line, while Donatello Tupper scored 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field. Marcelino Armendariz posted 17 points, Shane Rivera had 14, and Kal-El Gentles posted a team-high 14 rebounds to go with seven points.
 

A few nights prior, the Yaks held their own against Treasure Valley but were unable to overcome a six-point halftime deficit before falling 95-85. Five YVC players scored in double figures, led by Tupper with 20 and Gentles with 19. Rivera put up 16 points and eight rebounds, McClure scored 15 and Armendariz had 10 points as the Yaks shot 53.4% (31-of-58) from the floor. Tupper and Gentles each added nine rebounds to help YVC win the battle of the boards, 35-26.
 

YVC (6-5 NWAC East, 10-11 overall) will host Columbia Basin on Wednesday with a chance to take over sole possession of third place in the conference, followed by a Saturday matchup with Spokane, which currently sits in fifth place.