PORT ANGELES — Zhara Laster’s running jumper bounced off the back of the rim as time expired in overtime, and the Peninsula College women’s basketball team lost its season opener 66-65 in overtime to Wenatchee Valley.
Imani Smith scored for the Pirates with four seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 58-58 and force overtime.
Smith, a freshman, tied with Wenatchee’s Lauren Johnson for Saturday’s game-high scoring honors with 17 points.
Smith added five steals, six rebounds and two assists in her Peninsula debut.
Laster, also a freshman, led the Pirates with 12 rebounds, including six off the offensive glass.
Gabi Fenumiai, last year’s leading scorer, contributed 14 points in 18 minutes before fouling out, and Madison Pilster added 11 points and six boards.
Cierra Moss of Neah Bay scored eight points, and sister Cherish had two points. Both were playing their first college basketball game.
Cierra Moss hit one of the Pirates’ three 3-pointers. As a team Peninsula only made 3 of 23 from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guard Miranda Schmillen topped the Pirates with three assists. She also had three steals and seven points.
For the Knights (2-0), Drew Carlos scored 16 points and pulled down 14 boards.
Peninsula (0-1) is off until Friday and Saturday, December 5-6, when it plays Columbia Basin and Walla Walla, respectively, in Walla Walla.
Columbia Basin, the defending Northwest Athletic Conference champion, defeated the Pirates in the opening round of the NWAC tournament earlier this year.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Pirates will have a rematch with Wenatchee Valley in Wenatchee.
