Strong team defense held Auburn Mountainview to 12 first-half points and spurred the offense for Squalicum boys' basketball, helping the Storm end a five-game losing streak with a 55-36 victory during the second day of the Crush in the Slush at Port Townsend.

Squalicum jumped out to a 38-12 halftime advantage after outscoring the Cubs 23-4 in the second quarter.

"To hold a team to 12 points in a half is commendable," Squalicum coach Dave Dickson said in a phone interview. "It was a good team effort. Guys talked and kept their intensity up defensively. I thought the defense spurred the offense tonight, and it was good to see that kind of effort."

Blake Youtsey led the Storm (5-7) with 13 points, while Ben Garcia hit four 3-pointers. Alex Yuska scored 11 points and likely recorded a double-double, according to Dickson, while Blake Harmon and Jonathan Whetnall chipped in nice games with 10 and nine points, respectively.

Squalicum returns to Northwest Conference action on Friday, Jan. 5 at Meridian.

SQUALICUM 55, AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW 36

Squalicum 15 23 11 6 - 55

Mountainview 8 4 12 12 - 36

Squalicum: Jonathan Whetnall 9, Tre Clark 0, Luke Weber 0, Blake Harmon 10, Clark Hazlett 0, John Zender 0, Ben Garcia 12, Blake Youtsey 13, Harper Moore 0, Alex Yuska 11, Chad Dickerson 0.

Mountain View: Weisenger 4, E. Lacey 4, X. Lacey 2, Upchurch 12, Green 6, Rumbaugh 6, Kim 2.

3-ptg: Squalicum 10 (Garcia 4), Mountainview 5 (Upchurch 4). Fouls: Squalicum 15, Mountainview 5.