The Whatcom Community College men's basketball team was able to play catch-up at the end but came up just short in a 83-81 NWAACC North Division loss to visiting Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
The loss dropped the postseason-bound Orcas to 18-7, 10-3 North while Everett improved to 15-10, 8-5 North.
Whatcom trailed by 11 at halftime and was within five points with 50 seconds remaining. The Orcas cut the lead to two points before Everett sank a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left. Whatcom again cut the lead to two points on a made 3-pointer with under 2 seconds left, but Everett was able to run the clock out.
"We just couldn't battle back," Whatcom coach Chris Scrimsher said after Everett's last 3-pointer. "We just came out too relaxed in the first half. Hopefully, it will be a different outcome in our next game."
The Orcas were led by Kyle Impero, who had 18 points. Nicholas Kussman had 15 points, Alex Duncan scored 14 points, Chris Tanis had 13 points and Zach Stalin added nine points and 11 rebounds for Whatcom.
Whatcom will host Shoreline at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23.
EVERETT 83, WHATCOM 81
Everett: Rashad Jones 3, Zach Cooper 12, Landy James 5, Jake Allen 3, Matt Welliver 3, David Ware 19, RJ Magar 11, Flynn Mattson 12, Connor Donaldson 15. Totals 32-66 9-23 83.
WCC: Daniel Nielsen 2, Alex Duncan 14, Kyle Impero 18, Nicholas Kussman 15, Neilan Pierce 6, Ian Tevis 2, Eric Fongue 2, Zach Stalin 9, Chris Tanis 13. Totals 30-71 13-22 81.
Half: Everett 49, WCC 38.
3-ptg: Everett 10 (Magar 3); Whatcom 8 (Impero 4). Rebounds: Everett 36 (Ware 8, Donaldson 8); Whatcom 52 (Stalin 11). Assists: Everett 15 (Ware 9); Whatcom 16 (Duncan 4). Fouls: Everett 18, Whatcom 23 (Kussman). Turnovers: Everett 12, Whatcom 15.
