The Mercer Island boys basketball team continued to stay hot in the team’s first conference game after winter break, beating Bellevue 66-54 on Friday, Jan. 4.

The Islanders jumped out to a fast start, dominating the game on both offense and defense, holding an 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Though the Wolverines attempted to pick up points in the second quarter, it wasn’t enough to overtake Mercer Island, which led 36-27 at halftime.

While Bellevue regained some footing in the second half, the team wasn’t able to capitalize to the point of overtaking the Islanders in front of the packed Mercer Island gym.

Joe Rasmussen scored a season high of 27 points during the game, while Kaleb Warner posted 11 points in the win and Jake Shaddle added 10 points. Nick Nordale and Will Taylor each had eight points, and Espen Platou added two.

The Islanders, 6-0 in conference and 11-1 overall as of Friday, hosted Lake Washington on Tuesday, after Reporter deadline. The team will travel to Juanita on Friday, Jan. 11 for an 8 p.m. match.

On Friday, the Mercer Island girls also played Bellevue, falling 70-54 to the Lady Wolverines.

Bellevue dominated early on, with a 23-13 lead lead at the end of the first. The Islanders closed the gap to 29-25 at halftime, but Bellevue continued to  outscore and out rebound Mercer Island in the second half to pull away.

The girls team played Newport on Monday, after Reporter deadline, and will host Lake Washington at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9. The team will travel to play Juanita on Friday at 6:30 p.m.