BREMERTON — Strong defense and a dominating second quarter were enough for the Peninsula College women’s basketball team to beat Olympic 68-57 in Northwest Athletic Conference North Region action.

The Pirates outscored the Rangers 21-5 in the second quarter to take a 39-24 lead into halftime.

But cold shooting in the second half prevented Peninsula from adding to its lead. The Pirates didn’t give up much ground on their lead, but they also couldn’t pull away, so their advantaged stayed in the eight- to 13-point range.

“We just couldn’t get over that hump,” Peninsula coach Alison Crumb said.

“We shot like 20-something percent in the second half. It was hard for us to continue to push our lead when we’re not making shots.

“It was a good game to get over with — ‘That was weird, let’s move on.’”

The shot selection wasn’t the problem. The Pirates were attacking the hoop and getting layups and other good looks, the shots just weren’t dropping.

Whatever was lacking on offense, Peninsula more than made up for it on defense.

Led by Imani Smith’s six, the Pirates had 23 steals in Wednesday’s game. Zhara Laster, Cierra Moss and Daijhan Cooks each had four steals and Cherish Moss finished with three.

“I was happy with the way that they responded defensively,” Crumb said.

Smith finished with 14 points and made 7 of 11 shots, and also had eight rebounds and four assists.

Cierra Moss scored a team-high 19 points, and Laster had 10 points and nine rebounds. Cooks also contributed 10 points, the third straight double-digit scoring game for the freshman post.

Next up for Peninsula (4-0, 13-4) is an important NWAC North showdown with Bellevue (3-1, 13-4) on Saturday.

Along with the Pirates and Skagit Valley (4-0, 14-6), the Bulldogs are considered the favorites to win the North Region.

They defeated the Pirates 65-57 last month.

“We feel like we’re a stronger team than when they beat us the first time around,” Crumb said.

“But they’re probably a better team, too.

“We do have an edge going in because we recently lost to them. I would say, and I think the girls would say, that it was probably one of our worst games of the season.”

Peninsula 68, Olympic 57

Peninsula 18 21 16 13— 68

Olympic 19 5 20 13— 57

Individual scoring

Peninsula (68)

Rodisha 1, Laster 10, McKnight 5, Ci. Moss 19, Cooks 10, Ch. Moss 2, Smith 14, Thomas 7, Dugan, Hutchins.

Olympic (57)

Fontes 3, Wherry 8, Ferrell 12, Shumaker 7, Anderson 2, Da. Carter 2, Di. Carter 12, Harpes 4, Craig 7, Johnson, Hicks.