Columbia Basin defeated Walla Walla in a slugfest 71-61. Garrett Streufert and Tyler Kurtz each had 16 points for CBC. Jase Edwards also added 12 points and 5 assists in the effort.

After a brutal 104-77 loss in Walla Walla, the Hawks were out for revenge in this one. Right out of the gate, CBC threw on hellacious on-ball pressure forcing the Warriors to play from 96 feet on every possession. Offensively, they looked to methodically work through the post via on ball screens and both Kurtz and Streufert lead the way in that effort. 

Normally a sharp-shooting force, the Warriors did not have as much luck tonight as the Hawks did not give up very many open looks. As both teams traded punches in the first half, it was CBC who took a 36-31 lead into the break with Streufert scoring 14 in the half.

Outside of the break, Walla Walla knocked down 3 of their 9 from deep to creep ahead by two but ultimately, the on-ball defense from Donovan Cooper and Amar Rivers forced them into bad looks and turnovers. A coupler Warrior free throws with 5 minutes left tied the game at 60-60. Coach Anthony Owens immediately called a timeout to get Kurtz a look on the following possession. Kurtz was able to draw a foul and convert both free throws before scoring again on his next look to make it 64-60 with 2 minutes to go.

The Basin defense locked in and was able to force a bad shot and a turnover that were both converted into layups on the offensive end. With a minute to go, up 68-60 the Warriors missed an open 3 that would have kept it close but the miss went sailing out of bounds and that would be it. The Hawks made 3 of their final 4 free throws to seal the deal for the 71-61 win.

With the win, CBC moves into a tie with Spokane at 8-5 for the second seed in the East. They will travel to North Idaho on Wednesday to try and get another big win over the Cardinals as they mount their playoff push.