The South Whidbey High School boys basketball team built a small first-half lead and then erupted in the fourth quarter to vanquish rival Coupeville 54-32 Friday in Langley.

After taking a one-point first-quarter lead, 10-9, the Falcons outscored Coupeville 15-7 in the second to go up 25-16 halftime.

The Wolves narrowed the margin to four, 25-21, on Nick Streubel’s three-point play midway through the third period, then South Whidbey slowly rebuilt its advantage, finally reaching double figures, 37-26, when it hit two free throws as the third quarter ended.

From there the Falcons (2-8, 4-13) steadily pulled away.

The Wolves had a hard time slowing the South Whidbey inside tandem of Nick French and Parker Collins, who finished with 19 and 14 points and helped the Falcons dominate the boards.

Aaron Trumbull led Coupeville with 10 point but missed time because of fouls. Fouls were a problem for Coupeville, and the Falcons hit 14 of 21 free throws to only six of 13 for the Wolves.

South Whidbey used full-court pressure to create turnovers and limit the offensive opportunities for the Wolves.

Coupeville finished with 21 turnovers. Coach Anthony Smith said, “That’s good for us, but still too many.”

The Wolves shot 32 percent (11-for-34).

Streubel finished with seven points, Ben Etzell six, Caleb Valko three and Morgan Payne two.  Valko grabbed seven rebounds and Streubel six.

Smith said South Whidbey hurt the Wolves with transition buckets and praised the Falcons for their intensity: “They play hard; they go for every loose ball.”

Coupeville (0-10, 1-15) finishes a string of six away games when it goes to Sultan (6-4, 7-9) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22.