The Blaine girls' basketball team started off strong in its 58-31 win over Bellingham in a Northwest Conference game on Thursday,

Jan. 3, in Blaine.

"We came out in a full-court press and had to go after it," Blaine coach Ryan Pike said in a phone interview. "It was a scrappy game tonight."

Blaine (7-4, 2-2 NWC) took a 29-14 lead at halftime and was led in scoring by Taylor V'Dovec with 23 and Mandy Hayes with 17.

"It was a quiet 23 for Taylor, it didn't really seem like she scored them," Pike said. "I thought Breanna Chau and Olivia Olason had great games on defense tonight though."

Bellingham (6-5, 1-3 NWC) was led by Olivia Halverson, who scored nine points, and Catrina Mahoney, who scored seven and had six rebounds.

The Borderites host Ferndale on Monday, Jan. 7, while Bellingham hosts Squalicum on Tuesday, Jan. 8, in Northwest Conference games.

BLAINE 58, BELLINGHAM 31

Bellingham 5 9 14 3 - 31

Blaine 14 15 13 16 - 58

Bellingham: Jenn Paul 3, Ashley Spink 4, Michaela Knutson 0, Monica Ziels 0, Alicia Romero 2, Olivia Halverson 9, Catrina Mahoney 7, Joelle Zamora 6. Team totals: 9-27 7-12 31.

Blaine: Emily Roe 0, Breanna Chau 5, Olivia Olason 4, Alexis McElwain 7, Nicole Ortega 0, Mikayla Deming 2, Mandy Hayes 17, Rhiana Breedlove 0, Taylor V'Dovec 23. Team totals: 20-34 3-4 58.

3-ptg: Bellingham 2 (Zamora 2), Blaine 5 (Hayes 4). Rebounds: Bellingham 21 (Mahoney 6), Blaine 25 (McElwain 8). Assists: Bellingham 3 (three players at one), Blaine 20 (Chau 5). Fouls: Bellingham 6 (none), Blaine 13 (none). Turnovers: Bellingham 26, Blaine 16.