Sultan didn’t follow the script.

The Turks pushed the South Whidbey High School boys basketball team to the brink before the Falcons pulled out a 63-59 win Tuesday, Jan. 21, in Langley.

South Whidbey walloped Sultan by 40 points — in the Turks’ home gym — Jan. 3.

The Turks, undeterred, came into the Falcons’ house Tuesday and almost pulled off a stunning upset.

“We were a little flat-footed and they out-hustled us,” South Whidbey coach Greg Turcott said. He also noted his club “shot poorly” in the contest.

South Whidbey, though not as dominating as the first meeting, controlled most of Tuesday’s game, holding a double digit lead much of the first three quarters and deep into the fourth.

The Turks, down by 13, 53-40, going into the fourth period, made it interesting. Tanner Force, Cameron Gunderson and Tyler Sargent all hit three-pointers and Gunderson, Sargent and Jeremy John all scored 5 points to get Sultan back into the game.

A three-ball by Levi Buck and then two late buckets by Carson Wrightson helped the Falcons hang on for the win.

South Whidbey led 19-15 after the first quarter when Dexter Jokinen sank two three-pointers and Jacob Ng and Buck one each, while Nick Young chipped in with 3 points.

The Falcons outscored Sultan 16-6 in the second period to take a 35-21 halftime lead. Young scored 4 points, Kole Nelson drilled three foul shots and Sterling Patton pumped in a three-pointer to fuel the second-quarter surge.

Wrightson scored 6 points and Young, Patton and Buck 4 each in the third period.

Wrightson finished with 15 points, Buck 12, Young 11, Patton 9, Ng 7, Jokinen 6 and Nelson 3.

Force and Gunderson each scored 12 points for Sultan (2-4, 4-11).

South Whidbey (4-1, 12-3) plays at Granite Falls (1-4, 3-12) at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24.