The Mercer Island boys basketball team beat the Mount Si Wildcats 53-40 Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Mercer Island High School. It was the team’s second win over Mount Si this season. With the win, the Islanders improved its KingCo record to 8-2 and overall record to 12-4.

The Wildcats led early over the Islanders, ahead 13-8 after the first quarter and then going bucket-for-bucket throughout the second quarter to lead 23-19 at halftime. But Mercer Island responded by turning up the offense with 19 points in the third quarter to take a one-point lead after three. In the fourth, the Islanders turned to its defense, holding Mount Si to three fourth-quarter points to secure the win. Andrew Pickles led the Islanders in scoring with 14 points and Jake Stenberg had 10. Daniel Sims and Nick Taylor each pitched in 9 points for Mercer Island.

The Islanders will travel to Bellevue to take on Interlake at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at Interlake High School.