Fresh off a No. 2 ranking in the NWAACC Alaska Airlines poll, Peninsula needed all 40 minutes to take down Whatcom in their conference opener.

Xavier Bazile scored 26 points and Djuan Smith added 19 as the Pirates (10-4) edged Whatcom’s Orcas 82-79 on Jan. 5 in Port Angeles.

Bazile hit 10-of-18 from the floor, including four 3-pointers, while Smith added seven rebounds and four assists.

P.C big man Arnold Anderson had eight points, nine rebounds, three blocks and a team-high three steals.

Zach Stalin paced the Orca attack with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

Whatcom held a 43-39 lead at halftime.

Peninsula didn’t do itself any favors at the free-throw line, missing 11 of 22 shots, but scored 16 points off Whatcom turnovers (to the Orcas’ six).

The Pirates are back in action Jan. 9 on the road, playing against the team (Edmonds) they are tied with at No. 2 in the standings, one spot below the Lane Titans.