In what ended as a close game on Tuesday, Jan. 15, Mercer Island beat Sammamish 62-55.

The Islanders started the game with a four point lead, up 18-14 at the end of the first quarter. Mercer Islanded extended the lead by two points in the second  quarter, posting a 27-21 score at halftime. Sammamish kept it a close match in the third quarter, scoring 12 points and holding Mercer Island to 13 before both teams scored 22 points in the final minutes of the game. The Totems closed the gap to within five points, but missed chances by Sammamish gave Mercer Island the edge on the clock to keep the win.

Senior Nick Nordale had a season high of 31 points for Mercer Island, while Espen Platou posted 11 points overall. Jake Stenberg and Kaleb Warner each had five points and Jake Shaddle added four. Alex Emanuels, Max Tilden and Teddy van der Velden each had two poitns in the win.

Mercer Island, now 14-1 and 9-0 in conference, will host Interlake on Friday, Jan. 18 during a quad night wit the girls team. The boys varsity team will play at 8:30 p.m.