Women’s basketball: Pirates improve to 5-1 in conference play

North Region standings

Bellevue 5-1 13-6

Peninsula 5-1 13-6

Skagit Valley 4-2 14-6

Everett 3-3 7-11

Shoreline 3-3 6-10

Olympic 2-4 8-8

Whatcom 2-4 6-9

Edmonds 0-6 0-17

Despite a close call against No. 8 Skagit Valley, Peninsula’s women remain in a tie with Bellevue atop the North Region after sweeping a pair of conference foes last week.

On Jan. 25, the Pirates (5-1, 13-6) held slim leads of 21-18 after one quarter, 40-39 at halftime and 52-51 after three before outscoring the host Skagit Valley squad 17-15 in the fourth for a 69-66 win in Mount Vernon.

Sophomore Alicia Dugan had the hot hand, hitting on 7-of-12 from the floor, including four 3-pointers, to lead all scorers with 21 points. Sephora Yayouss finished with 13 points and four assists while teammate Jenise McKnight had 10 points. Anaya Rodisha scored nine points and Yamilei Rodriguez contributed eight points and five rebounds.

Mandy Hayes led the Cardinals with 18 points and Deidra Miller had 16, but Skagit missed opportunities at the free throw stripe, sinking just half of their 20 attempts.

On Jan. 28, PC made quick work of winless Edmonds (0-6, 0-17) in a 73-54 romp.

McKnight had a big game with 16 points and 17 rebounds as the Pirates out-rebounded the Tritons on their own backboard (33-20) and overall (67-34).

Taisha Thomas had 13 points and Rodisha chipped in 12.

Katie Rodriguez led Edmonds with 18 points.

Looking ahead

Peninsula enjoys three more consecutive home games, starting with Whatcom on Feb. 1, followed by Shoreline on Feb. 8 and Olympic on Feb. 15. The Pirates are at Bellevue on Feb. 19.