The Whatcom Community College men's basketball team couldn't get a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to fall in the final seconds, as the Orcas dropped their NWAACC opener 82-79 to Peninsula Saturday, Jan. 5, at Peninsula Community College.

Whatcom's Zach Stalin scored a team-high 26 points and hauled in a team-best 14 boards. Kyle Impero scored 13 points and Alex Duncan and Nicholas Kussman each added 11 in the close loss.

"Zach had a good night with 26 points and 14 rebounds," WCC coach Chris Scrimsher said in a phone interview. "He played a lot of minutes, but we needed him to play those minutes. We had a big advantage inside."

Whatcom led 43-39 at half but was unable to hold onto its lead.

The Orcas host Skagit Valley next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at WCC.

PENINSULA 82, WCC 79

WCC: Alex Duncan 11, Kyle Impero 13, Nicholas Kussman 11, Ian Tevis 9, Eric Fongue 5, Zach Stalin 26, Chris Tanis 4. Totals 31-71 10-14 79.

Home: Gatpan Panoam 2, Daniel Sims 10, Aaron Clark 5, Matt Visser 2, Dijuan Smith 19, Arnold Anderson 8, Xavier Bazile 26, TreShawn King-Dunbar 3, Donald Gaddy 5, Salim Gloyd 2. Totals 33-81 11-22 82.

Half: WCC 43, Pen 39

3-ptg: WCC 7-14 (Duncan 3); Peninsula 5-16 (Bazile 4). Rebounds: WCC 45 (Stalin 14); Peninsula 50 (Anderson 9). Assists: WCC 23 (Kussman 6); Peninsula 24 (Dunbar 6). Fouls: WCC 16 (Kussman), Peninsula 16 (Anderson). Turnovers: WCC 13, Peninsula 11.