KENNEWICK — The Peninsula College women’s basketball team made history by winning its first game at the NWAACC Tournament on Friday at the Toyota Center.
The Pirates ripped South Puget Sound 86-55 in the loser-out consolation quarterfinals.
Peninsula, though, was knocked out in the next round, losing 69-56 to Centralia in the do-or-die consolation semifinals Saturday morning, just missing a shot at a trophy.
The Pirates made it look easy against South Puget Sound in the quarterfinals, leading 39-18 at halftime and never glancing back.
Four players scored in double figures, led by freshman Dena Houser’s career-high 22 points.
Houser made 3-of-5 from 3-point range and she also hauled down six rebounds.
Samantha Flett swished in 16 points while Brittany Bridges netted 14 and Britney Yamane added 11.
Bridges also had a game-high eight rebounds while Flett grabbed seven.
Damaris Craig had nine points and six rebounds off the bench for the Pirates while Krystal Tolliver had seven rebounds and four assists.
Three players scored in double figures for Peninsula in the semifinals but it wasn’t enough against powerhouse Centralia.
Brooke Helpenstell of Port Angeles scored a game-high 19 points while Bridges had 15 and Flett canned 13.
Tolliver and Helpenstell shared team rebounding honors with seven each. Tolliver also had a team-high four assists while Houser earned three steals.
