MOUNT VERNON -- Cameron Howell made six 3-pointers and finished with 23 points to lead all scores as Skagit Valley College defeated Highline College 86-61 on Friday Night.

The Cardinals shot a season high 37 3-points vs. the Thunderbirds and connected on 43% of them which was right at their season average from beyond the arc. "Highline was in a 2-3 zone for most of the night. Our guys did a good job of moving the ball and finding the open shooters" said coach Veltri.

Playing in their first game back after a ten day holiday break, the Cardinals did not appear to be rusty. "The first game back after Christmas break is always nerve racking as a coach" Veltri said. "You just never know how long it will take them to get back in the groove, fortunatly for us, shots were falling tonight, that usually helps pick up energy on both ends of the floor." Veltri added.

the hot shooting Cardinals seemed to be dialed in on the defensive end of the floor as well, as they held Highline to 61 points including 30% shooting from the floor for the game. They were also able to keep one of the NWACs top players, Jamie Orme, in check holding him to 10 points for the game. "Our Washington kids know who he is, and we did a great job as a team of locating him and making him work for good shots." said Veltri. Orme finished 3 of 15 (20%) from the floor for the game.

The Cardinals were led by Howell with 23 points, followed by sophomores Tyler Kidd with 17, Ben Ayre 15, and Cody Starr with 13 points.

The Cardinals will host #3 ranked Pierce College tomorrow afternoon at 5pm.