The Whatcom Community College women's basketball team struggled against winless Olympic College but key free throws down the stretch helped the Orcas escape with a 54-52 victory in the NWAACC North Division game on Monday, Jan. 30.
Whatcom (10-8, 5-3) retained its fourth seed in the North Division with the victory, but made the score a lot closer than it could have been.
The Orcas made just 30 percent of its shots (18 for 61) as Olympic shot 42 percent (22-52).
The difference came down to free throws. Whatcom made 17 of 23 from the stripe, while Olympic sank just 5 of 16.
"We played from behind the whole game," Whatcom coach Sara Bergner said in a phone interview. "We never got going at all. Nothing was working right for us. Fortunately, were able to get a few free throws down the stretch."
Kariah Kussman, Kellie Fluit and Cambie Edwards each scored 10 points for the Orcas.
Whatcom travels next to Everett Community College at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1.
WHATCOM 54, OLYMPIC 52
Whatcom: Alexis Wolf 10, Kariah Kussman 10, Alisha Friberg 8, Erika Locker 4, Cambie Edwards 10, Kellie Fluit 10, Margaret Redlinghuis 2. Team totals: 18-61 17-23 54.
Olympic: Mattie Kozloff 4, Danielle Stewart 21, Jaclyn Jordan 11, Myleka Hanna 0, Alyson Chandler 6, Shelby Jackson 0, Sasha Kozloff 2, Jessica Klump 2, Brittany Lamar 6. Team totals: 22-52 5-16 52
Half: Olympic 27-20.
3-ptg: Whatcom 1-8 (Kariah Kussman 1), Olympic 3-9 (Alyson Chandler 2). Rebounds: Whatcom 39 (Kellie Fluit 7), Olympic 44 (Jaclyn Jordan 11). Assists: Whatcom 10 (Kariah Kussman, Erika Locker 3), Olympic 11 (Brittany Lamar 5). Fouls: Whatcom 17 (Kellie Fluit, Cambie Edwards 5), Olympic 22 (Jaclyn Jordan 5). Turnovers: Whatcom 19, Olympic 27.
