The Pirates have a perfect conference record no longer – but they sure put up a fight.

The Whatcom Orcas needed double overtime to topple Peninsula, outscoring the Pirates 9-5 in the second overtime of a 74-70 win in Bellingham on Jan. 16.

Brandon Welch hit four three-pointers and scored 20 points, helping the Orcas (2-2 in conference play, 7-6 overall) even their conference mark in the upset.

Peninsula (4-1, 7-7) got a team-high 18 points from Ryan Rutherford and 12 points from teammate Jason Gamblin, although the latter struggled from the field by hitting just one of nine shots from the field.

The Pirates fell behind 31-26 at halftime before evening the score at 61 apiece at the end of regulation.

Despite holding a rebounding edge, the Pirates were done in by poor shooting (under 33 percent from the field) and their 22 turnovers.

Christian Manzanza added nine points and seven rebounds for the Pirates, who host Everett on Jan. 20 and play at Shoreline on Jan. 23.

One-two P.C. punch drops North Seattle

Peninsula’s Rutherford and Gamblin grew up miles apart but the combo is getting Peninsula closer and closer to another NWAACC North division title.

The two combined for 46 points to lead Peninsula to a 77-67 home victory against North Seattle on Jan. 13.

Rutherford hit two three-pointers and had five assists and four steals to go with his 25 points to help P.C. remain undefeated in conference play.

Gamblin added 21 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, helping Peninsula out-

rebound the smaller Storm 54-27. The rebounding and good ball-handling (just 12 turnovers) helped Peninsula overcome an off night shooting from the field (39 percent).

Wil Bush led North Seattle with 26 points, 15 coming from three-point range.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.