A big start, a big finish and a big player helped Mount Baker defeat the host Coupeville High School boys basketball team 81-59 Monday, Dec. 7.

The Mountaineers, behind 6’10” Timothy Soares’ 21 points, jumped to a 20-1 lead and outscored the Wolves 23-13 in the final period to pull out the win.

At times, it was more of a free-throw shooting contest than basketball game.

Fifty-eight fouls were called, 31 on Mount Baker.

The teams combined to hoist up 83 foul shots. Coupeville was 30-for-47; the Mountaineers sank 20 of 36.

The Wolves had two players disqualified and had four others with four fouls. They also lost Dante Mitchell to an injury. Mount Baker lost three players with five fouls.

After Mount Baker’s impressive start helped the Mountaineers lead 29-12 after the first period. Coupeville outscored Mount Baker 30-29 in the middle periods, trailing 49-31 at halftime and 58-42 at the end of the third quarter.

Risen Johnson topped the Wolves with 17 points, and Jordan Ford, hitting nine free throws, finished with 13.

Wiley Hesselgrave, sitting much of the first half in foul trouble, scored 12 points, all after the break.

Ryan Griggs had eight points, DeAndre Mitchell four, Gabe Wynn two, Jared Helmstadter two and Desmond Bell two.