Not always an easy place to gain wins, Skagit Valley College’s gym saw the Peninsula Pirates escape with one win in two games in a North Division basketball doubleheader Jan. 28.

The Peninsula women improved to 5-1 in conference play, 11-5 overall, and moved into sole possession of second place in the division with a 63-59 win over the Cardinals.

The Pirate men, however, while the Pirate men slipped to 2-4 in conference and 9-9 overall after a 63-56 loss to the hosts. That setback leaves the Pirates in fifth place in the division with eight games remaining.

The P.C. women and men travel to Shoreline for a matinee doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31. The Dolphin women (0-6 in conference, 014 overall) are in the North Division cellar while Shoreline’s men are tied for fourth place (3-3, 8-11).

Women: Pirates 63, Cardinals 59

The Peninsula women remained in the hunt for the North Division title, one game behind Bellevue, with a big win against Skagit Valley.

Sophomore Madison Pilster posted a double-double for the Pirates with 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Pirates, while teammate Ciera Moss added 11 points and six boards. Whitney Nemelka hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with seven points and eight rebounds and Gabi Fenumiai also pulled down eight rebounds for the Pirates.

Linda Wilson led Skagit Valley with 16 points.

The Pirates out-rebounded the Cardinals 46-23 and had a strong night at the free throw line, sinking 21-of-23 (91 percent). The Cardinals went to the charity stripe just seven times.

Men: Cardinals 68, Pirates 56

The Skagit Valley men went out to a 30-24 halftime lead and held on to win by seven.

Deonte Dixon paced Peninsula, pouring in 22 points and pulling down five rebounds, but the Cardinals held P.C. sharp-shooter Ryley Callaghan to just one 3-pointer and 11 points on the night.

Peninsula’s Jeremiah Hobbs just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Jal Deng also had a good night on the boards with 10.

Vince Payne had 17 points and Gerad Davis 14 to lead Skagit Valley.

Both teams shot similar percentages from the floor and the line, but Skagit capitalized on 16 of 21 free throw attempts; the Pirates went to the line just 11 times, sinking seven

The Pirates out-rebounded the Cardinals, 44-29.