The Whatcom Community College men's basketball team rallied from 12 points down in the second half to beat host Everett 78-75 in a NWAACC North Division game on Wednesday, Jan. 23.

The Orcas improved to 12-6, 4-2 North while Everett dropped to 11-7, 4-2 North.

"It was a tough game," Whatcom coach Chris Scrimsher said in a phone interview. "It was tight all the way through."

Eric Fongue scored a team-high 19 points for the Orcas, with most of them coming during the team's second-half comeback. Kyle Impero added 17 points and Nicholas Kussman had 15 points and eight rebounds.

Whatcom took a three-point lead with 6 seconds left after two Alex Duncan free throws. Everett then missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Orcas next play at Shoreline on Saturday, Jan. 26.

WHATCOM 78, EVERETT 75

WCC: Tyler Clark, Daniel Nielsen, Alex Duncan 7, Kyle Impero 17, Nicholas Kussman 15, Neilan Pierce 6, Caleb Buchanan, Ian Tevis 5, Eric Fongue 19, Zach Stalin 6, Chris Tanis 3. Totals 30-71 16-20 78.

Everett: Rashad Jones 3, Zach Cooper 2, Jake Allen 4, Jarrell Banks 11, David Ware 8, RJ Magar 18, Flynn Mattson 18, Connor Donaldson 11. Totals 28-73 12-15 75.

Half: Whatcom 36, Everett 34.

3-ptg: WCC 2(Duncan 1, Tevis 1); Everett 7 (Banks 3, Magar 3). Rebounds: WCC 54 (Duncan 8, Kussman 8); Everett 37 (Mattson 7). Assists: WCC 14 (Duncan 4); Everett 21 (Cooper 5). Fouls: WCC 17, Everett 22 (Mattson, Magar). Turnovers: WCC 23, Everett 17.