by RYAN HUETER

Sequim Gazette

The Peninsula College men’s basketball team (2-0 division, 7-4 overall) overcame a late surge by the Bellevue College Bulldogs, earning a 79-67 NWAACC North Division victory.

After Mitrell Clark’sdrive to the hoop resulted in a 64-47 Peninsula lead with just under 10 minutes to play in the second half, the Bulldogs started a rally.

Pirates withstand late comeback try outscoring the Pirates 20-8 over a nine-minute stretch, Bellevue cut Peninsula’s margin to 72-67 on a 3-pointer from Cedric Clarington with about one minute remaining.

Driving into the frontcourt, Clark pulled up and drilled a 3-point bucket with only 39 seconds to play, sealing the win for Peninsula.  

“We weathered the storm,” Peninsula coach Lance Von Vogt said. “We made big shots when it counted and that was the difference in the game.”

Balanced attack powers Peninsula

The victory capped an impressive all-around effort from the Pirates. Four players finished in double figures, including Thad Vinson, who shot five of six from beyond the 3-point line, netting 23 points.  

Clark garnered 10 scores and dished out six assists.

Sammeon Waller gave Peninsula a charge coming off the bench, collecting 17 of the 26 points scored by the Pirates’ reserves.  

Peninsula captures  Rangers

The Pirates started conference play with an emphatic 73-57 trouncing of the Olympic College Rangers on Jan. 5 in Bremerton.

Clark resumed his scorching shooting by leading Peninsula with 19 points and four assists. Thad Vinson chipped in 16 scores, and Freeman added 13 points and 13 boards. 

Peninsula now shifts their focus to their match-up with the Skagit Valley College Cardinals (2-0 division, 4-7 overall) at 7 p.m. today, Jan. 12.