Wildcats Survive Late Rally in District Play In Win

<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Walla Walla</strong> <strong>@ Mt. Spokane</strong></h2>   <p><strong>Context:</strong> Win or go home. Walla Walla traveled to Mt Spokane with a playoff spot on the line.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Stood Out</strong></h2>   <p>Walla Walla looked like the more settled team early. The Blue Devils defended with physicality and purpose and jumped out to a 15–6 first quarter lead. Mt Spokane responded in the second quarter with a decisive surge that ultimately defined the game. The Wildcats turned up defensive pressure, capitalized on Walla Walla mistakes, and ripped off a 29–10 run to take a 35–25 lead into halftime. The third quarter was balanced, with both teams scoring 15, but Mt Spokane maintained control at 50–40 entering the fourth. Walla Walla applied pressure late and clawed back to a one possession game, but a handful of near misses and steady late execution allowed the Wildcats to close out a 61–58 win and move on.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Who Stood Out</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Boyd finished with 21 points and was a constant offensive threat. She proved dangerous from every level, whether spotting up, attacking closeouts, or cleaning up second chance opportunities. Three made threes stretched the defense, and her willingness to battle for offensive rebounds produced valuable extra possessions. In a win or go home setting, she showed the poise of a senior who understood the stakes.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Franssen's stat line does not fully reflect her impact. She scored seven points, but her athleticism on the defensive end stood out throughout the game. She intercepted long passes and disrupted Mt Spokane's attempts to break pressure or swing the ball in half court sets. Her defensive instincts helped fuel Walla Walla's late surge and kept the Blue Devils within striking distance.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Romaniuk continues to look like one of the most exciting freshmen in the league. She pushes pace naturally and plays with relentless energy on both ends. Her length disrupts passing lanes and creates transition chances. In this game, she added four three pointers and finished with 14 points, providing timely scoring in a high pressure environment.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Manuel is an offensive stabilizer for the Wildcats. When the game tightened late, she was comfortable with the ball in her hands and made strong decisions under pressure. She finished with 11 points and played a key role in breaking Walla Walla's press down the stretch. Her composure allowed Mt Spokane to burn valuable clock in the final minutes.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Wyss finished with 11 points, all coming from inside the paint. Walla Walla clearly entered the game focused on taking away her perimeter shooting, closing out aggressively and running her off the line. She adjusted by crashing the glass and attacking in transition, turning defensive pressure into scoring opportunities. That adaptability helped Mt Spokane maintain its second half cushion.</p>    <p>This game turned on one quarter. Mt Spokane's second quarter surge created a margin that proved just large enough to withstand Walla Walla's late push. The Wildcats showed resilience and composure in a playoff setting, while Walla Walla displayed the kind of fight that makes postseason basketball compelling. In a win or go home scenario, execution in one decisive stretch made the difference.</p>