Pirates on a streak – the winning way

Published 2:06 pm Friday, March 21, 2014

Same opponent, new results.

Peninsula’s Pirates, infused with hot-handed transfers midway through the season, finally have hit their stride, winning their second game in as many contests after topping Olympic 81-74 on Jan. 30.

Danika Goodwin hit for 23 points and fellow midseason newcomer Brianna DeSantis chipped in with 21 points and four blocks as the Pirates (2-7 in conference play, 3-14 overall) posted back-to-back wins for the first time since Feb. 28, 2009.

"We’re just on a kick – winning is definitely contagious," Peninsula coach Ali Crumb said. "We’re just trying to build off each (win)."

Despite getting out-rebounded 61-41 by the home Ranger squad, Peninsula took advantage of Olympic’s sloppy play. P.C. guard Dena Houser collected four of Peninsula’s 24 steals and forced Olympic into 28 turnovers.

Houser finished with 14 points and a team-high five assists. Jasmine Jackson added a pair of three-pointers.

"Trying to maintain a lead on the road is crucial," Crumb said. "It shows (the Pirates) they can play through that."

Jessica Jordan led Olympic with 19 points and 17 rebounds. The Rangers shot just 32 percent from the field.

In their previous meeting in Port Angeles, the Rangers blew past the Pirates 69-59 behind Jodi Mitchell’s 30 points.

But the O.C. sharpshooter from Australia was injured and out of action Saturday night, unable to help her Olympic teammates avoid their seventh conference loss of the campaign.

Peninsula’s Pirates are back in action at home against division co-leader Bellevue on Feb. 3 and at Skagit Valley, the division’s other co-leader, on Feb. 6.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.