PORT ANGELES — It wasn’t always easy, but the Peninsula College men’s basketball team never relinquished the lead in a 76-67 Northwest Athletic Conference North Region win against Skagit Valley.
Wednesday’s victory was the fourth in the past five games for the Pirates (4-2, 11-9), and pulled Peninsula into a three-way tie for second-place with Everett and Olympic, and a game back of first-place Edmonds (5-1, 16-3).
“If you look at our game versus Everett, our game against Bellevue, there were times when we had a lead and we were turning the basketball over and giving the other team hope,” Pirates coach Mitch Freeman said.
“But what I told the guys was the way we finished the game, they way we were able to get the ball where we needed to, I was proud of the way we completed the game.”
The start wasn’t too shabby, either, for Peninsula.
Despite foul trouble that forced Pirates point guard Ryley Callaghan to the bench with more than 13 minutes left in the first half, Peninsula rattled off a 17-4 run and eventually led 37-25 at halftime.
Sixth-man Darrion Daniels poured in 12 of his 15 points in the first half, all on drives to the rim or free throws earned after penetrating to the basket.
“I was really happy our guys were able to step up with Ryley out,” Freeman said.
“Darrion was unbelievable in the start of the game. He really kind of gave us a lead and extended out the lead.
“We’ve been really pleased with what he’s been able to do in league play. It’s been awesome.”
Peninsula guard Deonte Dixon also was able to get inside for short baskets, scoring eight of his team-high 18 points before halftime.
“With certain guys like Darrion and Deonte, we expect and want them to be able to attack to be able to open up the court a little more.
“It worked well for us tonight. We were able to get their big kid [Emanuel Siale] away from the basket.”
With Callaghan out, the Pirates reached deep into their bench.
“We had some guys step up that haven’t normally had the chance, like C.J. Woods,” Freeman said.
“He came on and gave us really quality minutes.”
Woods finished with five points, hitting 3 of 4 free throws.
Freeman said the Pirates’ defensive effort was even more crucial to building and maintaining their lead.
“Our focus defensively, was how to stop their scoring attack,” Freeman said.
“They really like to drive it in and kick it out. At times they have five guys on the floor that can shoot the basketball and we wanted to make sure and limit that, and we did for the most part.”
Peninsula limited the Cardinals to 2 of 19 shooting from beyond the arc.
The Pirates’ rebounding advantage (45 to 33) also constrained Skagit Valley.
“That was a big key, both offensively and defensively, to keep the ball alive if we missed shots, and to limit them to one shot defensively,” Freeman said.
Freeman said he spoke to his team at halftime about not being complacent with its double-digit advantage.
“We had a 12-point lead, it wasn’t anything dramatic, and I told the guys that if Skagit hits a couple of 3s they are right back in there,” Freeman said.
The Cardinals didn’t hit any treys in the second half, but were able to chisel chunks of the lead off the scoreboard, cutting the score to 50-43 with 11 minutes to go.
The Pirates came up with answers from beyond the arc, even if they came late in the shot clock.
With the shot clock nearing zero and Peninsula scrambling for a shot, Callaghan drained a 3 to put the Pirates up 53-43 with 10 minutes to play.
He knocked down another four minutes later for a 61-50 lead.
Callaghan finished with 13 points, 11 coming in the second half.
Dixon also had a shot-clock-beating trey, hitting a prayer from beyond NBA range over two Skagit Valley defenders to give the Pirates a 69-58 lead.
“We really made shots when we needed to,” Freeman said.
The Cardinals had one last chance, cutting the Peninsula advantage to 71-65 after Australian Ben Ayre was fouled shooting a 3 and hit three straight free throws.
Ayre led all scorers with 22 points.
Skagit Valley forced a turnover, but Ayre airballed a 3 to give the ball right back to the Pirates.
Chris Reis and Callaghan knocked down free throws to seal the game for Peninsula.
The Pirates host Shoreline (2-4, 7-10) at 6 p.m. Saturday.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
