It didn’t take long for the NWAC champs to get rolling again.

Peninsula’s women earned a quartet of non-conference road wins top open their 2015-2016 season as they look to defend their first conference title in school history.

The victories give Peninsula a 17-game win streak dating to last season.

The Pirates got wins versus Highline, Tacoma, Lower Columbia and Centralia in succession, winning each by at least 14 points.

Peninsula kicked off the season in fine fashion with a 68-47 drubbing of perennial West Division powerhouse Highline in Tacoma on Nov. 20, jumping out to a 34-25 lead by halftime.

The Thunderbirds trimmed PC’s lead to seven after three quarters, but Peninsula rallied to pull away in the final frame. Imani Smith and Cierra Moss led the way with 16 points and five rebounds apiece, while Jenise McKnight added nine points and five rebounds.

Peninsula then clobbered the host Tacoma squad 81-59 on Nov. 21, jumping out to leads of 19-11 after one quarter and 37-25 at the half. Cherish Moss led the way with 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers and two free throws. Cierra Moss also had a strong showing with 15 points and five rebounds, and Anaya Rodisha finished with 14 points.

On Nov. 22, the Pirates upended defending West Division champion Lower Columbia Red Devils, 72-51, racing to a 42-17 lead by halftime. Smith led the squad with 23 points and six steals, Cierra Moss hit for 13 points and eight rebounds, and Zhara Laster had 12 points and six boards.

Peninsula ended their road trip with a 69-55 win at Centralia, leading by four (47-43) going into the fourth quarter before finally pulling away.

Laster led the Pirates with a double-double of 19 points and 19 rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Cierra Moss added 17 points and six rebounds, Smith contributed 14 points and seven boards, and Tai Thomas had nine points and seven rebounds.

Looking ahead

Next up for the Pirates is a road trip across the mountains where coach PC Ali Crumb and her team take on three strong teams from the NWAC’s East Division. The PC women play Columbia Basin on Dec. 4 and Walla Walla on Dec. 5, both at Walla Walla, before making a stop in Wenatchee on Dec. 6.

The Pirates make their season home debut Dec. 17-19 when they host the NWAC North Region Crossover Tournament; the tourney features eight teams, two from each of the four NWAC conferences.