The Pirates got a boost last week with a pair of new players but they couldn’t stop P.C.’s slide in conference play.

Sarah and Taria Cicchitti combined for 32 points and 24 rebounds as the Whatcom Orcas downed the visiting Pirates 63-45 on Jan. 16.

Jimesha Collins led P.C. with 14 points while Brianna DeSantis chipped in with nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks in her second game as a Pirate.

Port Angeles grad Danika Goodwin, playing in her first game in the black and gold, added seven points.

Whatcom surged to a 32-16 lead by halftime, holding Peninsula to just 19-percent shooting in the first half.

The Pirates (0-5 in conference play, 1-12 overall) showed more life in the second half, getting outscored just 31-29 and getting to the free throw line 19 times.

Whatcom (2-2, 2-7) held a 59-45 rebounding edge, col-lecting 22 offensive boards.

The Pirates look for their first conference win when they host Everett on Jan. 20 and play at Shoreline on Jan. 23.

New blood helps P.C. keep it close

Brianna DeSantis, a transfer who has roots in Nevada, gave the Pirates 13 points and eight rebounds in her first game at Peninsula, but North Seattle kept P.C. winless in conference play with a 69-59 win on Jan. 13 in Port Angeles.

DaVeonna Munson scored 20 points and Candace Grettenberger added 18 as the Storm jumped to a 10-point lead by halftime and made it last.

Collins led Peninsula with 16 points, followed by DeSantis and Jasmine Jackson with 13 points each.

The Pirates shot better in this game (40 percent) than in any other this season but got to the free throw line just five times; the Storm sank 21 of 33 free throws.

Collins and Blair Musgrove had five assists each in the loss.

NWAACC North standings

Team Conf. Over.

Skagit Vly. 4-1 10-4

Bellevue 4-0 9-5

Everett 3-2 7-7

Seattle 3-2 4-9

Edmonds 2-2 4-8

Olympic 2-2 3-5

Whatcom 2-2 2-7

Shoreline 0-4 1-11

Peninsula 0-5 1-12