Alex Yuska led the Squalicum boys' basketball team with 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 74-45 win at home over Nooksack Valley in a Northwest Conference game Tuesday, Jan. 15.

"It was a hard fought game in the first half and we were ahead by 10 at halftime," Squalicum coach Dave Dickson said in a phone interview. "We had a really good third quarter and picked up our defensive intensity and that was really key."

Dickson said the third quarter play was sparked by Blake Youtsey getting three steals for baskets, and Yuska scoring 10 points.

"It was a good team effort," Dickson said. "We had different guys stepping up at different points and that's what you like to see this time of year."

Youtsey scored 13 points for the Mariners (9-7, 4-3 NWC).

Nooksack Valley (0-13, 0-6 NWC) was led by Brandon Gwinner, who scored 16 points.

The Pioneers host Ferndale on Friday, Jan. 18, while Squalicum travels to Sedro-Woolley, both NWC games.

SQUALICUM 74, NOOKSACK VALLEY 45

NV 7 18 7 13 - 45

Squalicum 13 20 26 15 - 74

Nooksack Valley: Brandon Turnberg 2, Connor Beard 5, Brandon Gwinner 16, Bret Rediger 5, Eben Rossmiller 0, Tanner Myhre 4, Josh Gimmaka 2, Seth Taron 2, Aaron Bosscher 9. Team totals: 14-44 13-19 45.

Squalicum: Jonathan Whetnall 9, Tre Clark 4, Clark Hazlett 0, John Zender 0, Ben Garcia 14, Blake Youtsey 13, Harper Moore 2, Alex Yuska 25, Chad Dickerson 3, Danny Weber 4, Josh Vail 0. Team totals: 29-52 9-12 74.

3-ptg: Nooksack Valley 4 (Gwinner 4), Squalicum 7 (Garcia 4). Rebounds: Nooksack Valley 25 (Taron 8), Squalicum 23 (Yuska 11). Fouls: Nooksack Valley 11 (none), Squalicum 15 (none). Turnovers: Nooksack Valley 17, Squalicum 12.