Walla Walla Community College evened its NWAC East Region record here Saturday in men’s basketball action.
The Warriors shot 57 percent from the field, 36-of-63, and downed Yakima Valley 100-89.
The Warriors improve to 1-1 in East play.
The Warriors 6-foot-6 post, Jake Albright, appears fully recovered from injury that sidelined him for most of the preseason.
Albright’s teammates got him the ball and Albright hit 14-of-21 from the floor and 8-of-11 from the free throw line, to lead all scorers with 36 points.
Albright completed a huge double, double by pullling down a game high 14 rebounds.
Albright also handed out a team leading five assists to complete his night.
“We got the ball inside really well,” Warrior coach Jeff Reinland said. “Jake got into a nice groove to finish with his 36 points and 14 boards.”
The Warriors clung to a 49-47 lead at intermission and fought off the Yaks through the last 20 minutes to emerge with the 11-point win, 100-89.
“Their inside guys hurt us a bit (Kyrie McRaven 26 points, Khyree Armstead 19 points),” Reinland added. “We handled their pressure at the end a little better than we have been doing. We hung onto the lead.
“Every time they cut the lead to eight, we seemed to hit a big 3 to keep them at bay.”
Forrest Smith connected on four of the nine Warrior treys and finished with 25 points.
Damen Thacker hit for 18 and David Howard scored 13.
“Forrest had a big game,” Reinland commented. “We defended their guards pretty well. Everyone played well. It was a big win for us as we have been struggling.”
The Warriors travel to Wenatchee Wednesday for an East Region batlle with the Knights.
