On paper, the matchup looked like a key showdown of NWAC powers.

That’s what fans in Bellevue got Saturday, as the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs defended their home court in a 77-70 win against No. 4-ranked Peninsula.

Shelby Kassuba scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Bellevue, who handed PC’s Pirates (4-1 in conference, 13-5 overall) their first conference loss.

For the most part Peninsula held Bellevue standout guards Mikayla Jones and Montana Hagstrom in check. The pair shot just nine-of-36 (25 percent) from the field. Jones, who came into the game averaging 21.9 points, had just 15 but dished out eight assists. Hagstrom had four steals, upping her 3.6 steals-per-game average (second best in the NWAC).

Imani Smith scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Peninsula. Cierra Moss had 15 points and Zhara Laster had 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists.

On Jan. 20, Peninsula broke free of a stingy Olympic Rangers squad late in the first half with a 21-5 run to down Bremerton hosts 68-57.

Smith led PC with 14 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists, Moss added a game-high 19 points and Laster chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the win.

Despite a 0-for-7 effort at the 3-point line, Peninsula converted 31 Olympic turnovers into 29 points.

Diamond Carter and Tiffani Ferrell led Olympic with 12 points.

Looking ahead

The Pirates get a trio of home games in upcoming days, with dates in Port Angeles against Skagit Valley on Jan. 27, Shoreline on Jan. 30 and Edmonds on Feb. 6.