The South Whidbey High School boys basketball team lost their first game of the season Tuesday against the Mount Vernon Bulldogs, 66-41.

The boys are now 5-1 for the season.

“They were rusty after 13 days without a game,” said Falcon coach Scott Collins. “And I think they were a bit intimidated, playing in a big gym with a lot of noisy hometown Bulldog fans. We got behind in the first quarter 11-4 and never caught up.”

Collins said the team had 18 team turnovers — they’ve been averaging less than 10 — and only shot 35 percent from the field, versus 43 percent normally.

Bulldog Ray Walser punctured the Falcon’s post defense, netting 20 points inside the paint to lead scoring on the night.

Scott Stallman led South Whidbey with 12 points and Riley Newman had eight.

“We’ve got work to do, obviously, but there’s a lot of good things to build on,” Collins said.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, Cascade Conference play begins when the Cedarcrest Red Wolves come to Erikson Gym.