The Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team played well in the second half at Mount Vernon Tuesday, Dec. 6, but the first half was a different story.

The Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats 35-17 over the first two quarters on the way to a 59-39 non-conference win.

“Mount Vernon definitely outplayed us last night,” Oak Harbor coach John Weston said. “They got us out of our game plan early and took a lead. It was difficult to recover.

“We played better in the second half, but continued to trade buckets so we’re unable to significantly cut into their lead.”

Mount Vernon held only a two-point advantage, 24-22, over the final two periods.

Five different Bulldogs scored in the first quarter when Mount Vernon went up 17-9. Six scored in the second period as the Bulldogs outscored Oak Harbor 18-8.

For the half, five Mount Vernon players registered 4 or more points. Only one Wildcat, Gabe Salinger, had 4 points at halftime.

Salinger finished with 9 to lead Oak Harbor. Adam Nelson added 8, Justin Ellison 7, Ozell Jackson 6, Weston Whitefoot 3, Haven Brown 2, Gavin Allen 2 and Kevin Schuldt 2.

Cooper Tobiason scored 12 and Ryan Kennedy 11 for Mount Vernon, which raised its record to 4-1.

Oak Harbor, which dropped to 1-3, hosts Sedro-Woolley (1-1) at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.