A 16-0 first-half run sparked the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team to its first conference win of the season, 55-48 at Marysville-Pilchuck Friday, Feb. 2.

The Wildcats (1-10, 4-15) close out the season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, when Meadowdale (5-6, 6-13) visits. The game was originally scheduled for Monday but was postponed because of snow.

Oak Harbor trailed late in the first quarter at Marysville-Pilchuck and then took off on the 16-0 run to go up 25-12 midway through the second period.

In all, the Wildcats scored 22 points in the second quarter, 7 from the foul line. Gabe Salinger led the rally with 9 points; Justin Ellison added 8.

“Offensively we just did a better job than usual in converting our opportunities,” coach John Weston said in regard to the big run.

Oak Harbor led 34-18 at halftime and 44-30 after three quarters.

The Tomahawks battled back to within 5, 53-48, late.

“Fortunately, we had enough of a cushion that they didn’t get any closer than that,” Weston said. “The guys were able to step up down the stretch and make plays. They showed resilience despite things not going our way in the fourth.”

Oak Harbor outscored the Tomahawks by 10 at the foul line (21-for-31 to 11-for-18) to overcome M-P’s advantage in points off turnovers (16-7).

JJ Mitchell paced the offense with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the field. Gavin Allen had 10 points, going 7-for-8 at the stripe.

Salinger finished with 9 points, Ellison 8, Adam Nelson 6 (6-for-6 on free throws), Ozell Jackson 4, Kevin Schuldt 4 and Haven Brown 2.

Ellison added 10 rebounds and three assists.

Jackson collected 9 rebounds and Mitchell 6.

M-P’s Raequan Battle scored a game-high 24 points. He also had 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks.

“The kids came out and really followed the game plan on both sides of the floor,” Weston said.