The Lynden girls' basketball team defeated Bellingham 56-43 in their season-opening Northwest Conference games, Friday, Dec. 14, in Bellingham.

"It was a hard fought first half, then we just got drilled in the third quarter," Bellingham coach Brad McKay said in a phone interview. "They did a good job executing their offense and we couldn't stop them. They really took it to us in that eight minutes."

Bellingham (5-3, 0-1 NWC) was led by Ashley Spink, who scored 10 points, and Olivia Halverson, who scored 8.

"Olivia and Ashley had a pretty good first half and kept us in it," McKay said. "We just struggled in the second half. They adjusted to us and took us our of our flow."

The Lions (4-2, 1-0 NWC) were led by Stephanie Somers, who scored 17 points, and Maddi Hommes, who scored 12.

Lynden hosts Squalicum on Monday, Dec. 17, while Bellingham travels to Lynden Christian for Northwest Conference games.

LYNDEN 56, BELLINGHAM 43

Lynden 14 16 19 7 - 56

Bellingham 12 16 7 8 - 43

Lynden: Mandy Warner 3, Taylor VanDalen 3, Maddi Hommes 12, Holly Mckinley 9, Ashlyn Morgan 6, Miriah Brown 3, Tanna Benson 1, Kaitlyn Mark 2, Stephanie Somers 17. Team totals: 16-34 15-24 56.

Bellingham: Carleen Syth 0, Jenn Paul 3, Ashley Spink 10, Michaela Knutson 8, Monica Ziels 0, Alicia Romero 6, Olivia Halverson 8, Catrina Mahoney 6, Joelle Zamora 0, Alyssa Porter 2. Team totals: 19-48 6-11 43.

3-ptg: Lynden 5 (Somers 2), Bellingham 1 (Spink). Rebounds: Lynden 32 (n/a), Bellingham 26 (Romero 9). Assists: Lynden 10 (n/a), Bellingham 9 (Spink 2). Fouls: Lynden 11 (none), Bellingham 15 (none). Turnovers: Lynden 16, Bellingham 22.