Peninsula’s Pirates dug themselves quite a hole Sunday afternoon against the Grays Harbor College Chokers.

They nearly completed an epic comeback but saw a second-half surge fall short in an 81-80 loss at Grays Harbor on Jan. 3.

Deonte Dixon scored 25 points and Ryley Callaghan added 16 for Peninsula.

Grays Harbor, behind the 18 points of Bryce Demecilio, built a 48-31 lead by halftime, holding PC to 36 percent shooting. The Pirates found their shooting touch in the second half, however, hitting 19-of-35 (54 percent) after halftime and out-scoring the Chokers 49-33.

Grays Harbor had the advantage in controlling the ball, forcing 17 Pirate turnovers to their own six. PC had only one assist in the contest.

Peninsula’s Malik Mayeux added 12 points while he and Dixon led the team with seven rebounds apiece.

The Pirates (7-6) start conference play today, Jan. 6, at Pierce (4-9) and are at No. 7-ranked Edmonds (10-2) on Jan. 9. Peninsula opens its home conference schedule Jan. 13 against No. 4 Whatcom (13-3).