The second-seeded Pirates were seeking their third championship, the first coming in 1970 when Bernie Fryer set the single-game scoring record of 57 points and the more recent title win in 2011 under former coach Lance Von Vogt.
Riding a four-game win streak, the Pirates built a 41-32 halftime lead, led by hot-shooting from a pair of sophomore guards; Cameron Burton’s 11 points and Colby Jackson’s nine.
The Pirates increased their lead to 20 with 16:40 remaining in the game when freshman center Marky Adams connected on a turnaround hook from six-feet out.
But Peninsula watched it’s 20-point cushion evaporate over the next 12 minutes while North Idaho made shot after shot, finally hitting a 3-pointer to tie the game at 60 with 6:50 left.
Burton’s rebound and layup on his own missed free-throw with 12 seconds left in regulation helped the Pirates send it to overtime, where the Cardinals went on an 8-0 run and ran away with the victory.
Five players scored in double figures for the Pirates, led by Burton’s 21.
Jackson put up 14, sophomore forward Trent Warren contributed 14, sophomore forward Kaelin Crane added 14 and Adams ended with 13.
The Pirates end their season with a 22-11 overall record.