The Whatcom Community College men's basketball team braved what coach Chris Scrimsher described as a shoddy defensive performance to pick up an 82-72 league-opening victory over Everett Community College Wednesday, Jan. 4, at WCC.

The Orcas were led by Evan Coulter's team-high 23 points. A total of five WCC players scored in double figures. Patrick Voeut recorded 14 points, Derek Dickerson had 14, Will Perry scored 13 and Marcus Bagnerise scored 11.

"You know, we didn't make a lot of smart choices tonight and didn't defend how we wanted to," Scrimsher said in a phone interview. "Evan Coulter played extremely well tonight. He defended well and had 23 points. Will Perry also played well. He had 13 points and almost had a double double with nine rebounds."

Bagnerise recorded a team-high 11 rebounds en route to a double double.

Whatcom's next game is against Edmonds Community College at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Edmonds Community College.

Whatcom CC 82, Everett CC 72

Everett: Cooper 16, Martin 9, Daniels 5, Wrouble 24, Briggs 4, Okeefe 7, Hammer 3, Andrews 4. Team totals: 24-70 16-18 72.

Whatcom: Will Perry 13, Marcus Bagnerise 11, Derek Dickerson 14, Evan Coulter 23, Caleb Buchanan 2, Patrick Voeut 14, Chris Tanis 5 . Team totals: 28-68 19-32 82.

Half: WCC 44, ECC 39

3-ptg: WCC 7 (Dickerson 4), Everett 8 (Wrouble/Martin/Cooper 2). Rebounds: WCC 50 (Bagnerise 11), Everett 43 (Wrouble 8). Assists: WCC 17 (Voeut/Bagnerise 4), Everett 9 (Martin/Wrouble 2). Fouls: WCC 16, Everett 22 (

Andrews). Turnovers: WCC 16, Home 17.