When two of the top teams get together in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, nothing is going to come easy.

Such was the case Wednesday night in Walla Walla, as the visiting Columbia Basin College women’s basketball team lost to the Walla Walla Community College Warriors 46-39.

“It was a slugfest,” said CBC women’s coach Cheryl Holden, whose Hawks drop to 6-2 in the East Division, 10-10 overall. “It was just a tough, defensive game.”

The two teams were tied at 19-19 at the half, and the game stayed close in the second half.

“Five minutes into the second half, we lost track of a couple of their shooters, and they hit a couple 3’s,” said Holden. “We clawed back.”

That would be Michelle Seitz, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds; and Allie Kelsey, who sank three treys on the night.

Kelsey finished with 12 points.

The Warriors stayed in first place and now have a 7-1 record, 18-2 overall.

Meanwhile, Holden’s Hawks continue to improve after a slow start this season, and despite having all but one player on the team being freshmen.

“I told them tonight they are not freshmen anymore,” said Holden.

Siera Higheagle led CBC with 12 points.

CBC — Alicia Jones 1-3 0-0 2, Kellie Ross 1-3 0-0 3, Kelsey Yenney 2-6 0-0 6, Kara Wenstrom 0-3 0-0 0, Kalli Williams 0-2 0-0 0, KieOsha Avery-Winchester 2-6 1-2 5, Sierra Higheagle 5-11 0-0 12, Brenda Bingham 1-2 0-0 2, Hannah Depew 3-15 3-4 9. Totals 15-51 4-6 39.

WW — Michelle Seitz 5-16 4-5 15, Brooke Hawkins 1-3 0-1 2, Josie Jordan 0-4 1-2 1, Amy DeLong 1-2 0-0 2, Caitlan Duncan 2-9 0-0 4, MeShel Rad 0-0 0-0 0, Hailey Felgenhauer 3-5 2-2 8, Allie Kelsey 4-12 1-1 12, Jessica Siler 0-1 0-0 0, Saige Steanski 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 17-54 8-11 46.

Halftime—WW 19, CBC 19. 3-point goals—CBC 5-13 (Yenney 2-3, Higheagle 2-5, Ross 1-2, Wenstrom 0-3), WW 4-15 (Kelsey 3-8, Seitz 1-4, Duncan 0-3). Rebounds—CBC 21 (three with 4), WW 34 (Seitz 10). Assists—CBC 4 (Ross 2), WW 10 (Seitz 3). Turnovers—CBC 18, WW 18. Total fouls—CBC 13, WW 12.