PORT ANGELES — Peninsula clawed back from a deficit that reached as high as 20 points in the second half to make it a two-possession game late, but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 90-80 NWAC North men’s basketball loss to Shoreline on Wednesday.
The Pirates jumped out to an early 20-11 lead sparked by eight of Samuel Kahapea’s 17 points, but the Dolphins led 47-35 at halftime.
Shoreline went up as much as 72-52 with 9:48 to play, but Peninsula chipped away at the deficit, pulling within 80-74 on a 3-point basket by James Buckley with 1:20 to go.
Buckley scored 18 of his game-high 21 points in the second half.
The Pirates again pulled within six, at 80-74 after Erik Kelly scored with 50 seconds to play, but Peninsula was forced to foul and the Dolphins sank six free throws down the stretch.
Malik Moore had a big night rebounding for the Pirates with 20 boards and eight points.
Port Angeles’ Luke Angevine hit two 3s and had seven points.
Halfway through the NWAC North schedule, the Pirates sit in third place behind league leaders Everett (7-0, 15-7) and a game ahead of a four-way tie for the fourth and final NWAC Tournament seed.
Peninsula visits Bellevue (3-4, 12-8) on Wednesday.
Shoreline 90, Peninsula 80
SCC 47 43 — 90
PC 35 45 — 80
Shoreline (90) — Lloyd 17, Nuguse 15, Woodard 12, Davis 9, Myers 9, Teclemarian 9, Tinnin 6, Ezell 4, McMillian 4, Watanabe 3, Washington 2.
Peninsula (80) — Buckley 21, Kahapea 17, Kelly 11, Harris-Williams 9, Moore 8, Angevine 7, Seldon 5, Glover 2, Thomas, Cleveland.
