By Ivan Sitohang
The Pirate men claimed a play-off spot in the NWAC Basketball Championship after the Wednesday loss against the Orcas at Whatcom.
The result put the Pirates at second place in the regular season with a 9-5 record, one game behind Shoreline.
The Pirate men played their last home game against the Skagit Valley Cardinals in pursuit of the play-off spot in the North Division on Feb. 22.
Before the game started, Alex Baham, Alex Losee, Darion Daniels and Omar Lo were recognized with a celebration for their hard work and effort for the team as sophomores.
The game was not exactly what the men wanted. The Pirate men had a comfortable 21 point-lead early in the first half before the Cardinals tightened the gap to 9 points. The first half ended 45-34 for the Pirates.
The second half didn’t get any better for the Pirates. The Cardinals gained more confidence and took over the lead.
The Pirates were wasteful from the free throw line only scoring 19 out of 28 possible points.
The Pirates came close to stealing the lead back late in the game after Jalon McCullough banked two quick three-pointers with a couple of seconds left in the game.
As the game reached its conclusion, a couple of dubious decisions were made by the officials when there seemed to be a mistake with the game clock that cost The Pirates a win. The game ended 87-89 with the Pirates conceding the defeat.
Jalon McCollugh led the team with 25 points. Sophomore Darrion Daniels collected 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Omar Lo and Cole Rabedeaux both had 12 points. Lo grabbed a total of eight rebounds.
The Pirates open play in the 16-team single-elimination men’s tournament March 9 in Everett. The men play at 3 p.m.