Columbia Basin came painfully close to a much-needed breakthrough Wednesday night, but a late push fell just short as the Hawks dropped a 63–62 decision at home to Yakima Valley.

From the opening tip, Columbia Basin played with urgency, feeding off the home crowd and setting the tone early. The Hawks edged ahead 27–23 by halftime behind crisp ball movement and an aggressive defensive effort that limited Yakima Valley's clean looks. There was a clear sense that this was a team determined to change the narrative after a difficult start to conference play.

The second half, however, turned into a grind. Yakima Valley methodically chipped away, using efficiency and patience to swing momentum. Columbia Basin continued to battle, answering runs with timely buckets and refusing to let the game slip away. The Hawks shot confidently from the field and were particularly sharp at the free-throw line, a sign of composure in a high-pressure setting.

Down the stretch, every possession mattered. Columbia Basin clawed back to within one in the final moments, giving the crowd hope of a dramatic finish. Defensive stops and second-chance opportunities kept the Hawks within striking distance, but Yakima Valley managed to do just enough to escape with the win.

The loss drops CBC to 7-10 on the year. They will look to rebound against Big Bend on Saturday starting at 2pm on Holden Court.