Port Angeles, WASH. - Men's basketball faced their second opponent from the NWAC Coaches' initial top-10 rankings as they squared off with #6 Skagit Valley College Cardinals on the opening day of the 2023 Pirate Classic hosted by Peninsula College. The Cardinals have gotten off to a NWAC-best 6-0 start to the season coming into the contest, including an astounding 41.1 point average margin of victory. 

Coach Zach Smith had the Clippers ready to compete after a long week of preparation, and they overcame a six-point deficit early in the game thanks to Sophomore Jazen Guillory's 15 first-half points and four rebounds. Jamaal Elliott provided a much-needed spark off the bench as he connected on four-of-five field goal attempts en route to nine first-half points. 

Despite the Clippers' effort, the Cardinals found themselves up three points at the halftime break, and they would hold onto that lead until Jemoi Davis connected on a long-range three with 13:43 remaining in the game to give the Clippers a 49-48 advantage. The two teams would exchange the lead multiple times until the Cardinals took the lead with 1:41 remaining and held on to win by five.