Home court advantage and a modest first-half lead didn’t last long, as Peninsula’s women dropped a 66-60 decision to visiting No. 8 Whatcom in the NWAACC conference opener Jan. 5 in Port Angeles.

Cambie Edwards led shorthanded Whatcom (8-5) with 23 points as the Orcas overcame a 29-21 halftime deficit.

Taylor Larson led Peninsula (5-6) with 17 points and Jasmine Yarde added 16, but Yarde finished 7-of-21 from the field and the Pirates shot just 24-of-64 from the field (38 percent) overall.

Alison Knowles had a solid game off the bench for Peninsula, hitting four 3-pointers en route to 12 points in just 20 minutes.

Abigail Jones added six points, eight rebounds and five assists and Karli Brakes chipped in with a game-high seven assists.

Whatcom, which saw just six players suit up for the contest, got 12 points apiece from Bree Park and Amanda Tapia.

Peninsula is back in action on Jan. 9 at Edmonds. The Titans (4-8) dropped a 79-51 contest to Skagit Valley on Jan. 5.