PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula Pirates used a late first half run to pull away from South Puget Sound in the opening round of the Northwest Athletic Conference women’s basketball crossover at Peninsula College on Thursday.
The Pirates, who were making their 2015-16 home debut and playing their first home game since winning the NWAC championship in March, cruised in the second half to win 64-45.
The Clippers tied the game at 16-16 on a basket by Port Angeles High School graduate Lenora Hofer with 6:20 left in the second quarter.
Peninsula then reeled off the next eight points and finished the half on a 15-1 scoring run to lead 31-17 at the break.
The Pirates (8-3) maintained a comfortable lead for the remainder of the game.
Neah Bay graduate Cierra Moss led Peninsula with 15 points.
Krista Johnson, who grew up in Neah Bay and graduated from Port Angeles High School, paced South Puget Sound (6-3) with 12 points.
The Pirates resume play at the crossover against Big Bend tonight at 7 p.m.
The Vikings were the only team that Peninsula played last year that it didn’t beat. They beat the Pirates 80-77 in overtime last year after Peninsula overcame a 20-point halftime deficit.
Hofer, Johnson and South Puget Sound face Portland in the consolation bracket today at 3 p.m.
Ticket information
Admission to the tournament is $6 per day for adults, and $4 for seniors (55 and older), veterans and youth ages 13-17. Peninsula College students and children 12 and younger get in for free.
