COUPEVILLE — Turnovers again cost the Falcons.

Only this time, the third loss in a row, it also cost South Whidbey bragging rights against island-rival Coupeville. The Wolves pressured the Falcons, ral- lied from five points down, won 39-24 and possibly crushed South Whidbey’s playoff hopes, which hinge on beating King’s and Coupeville.

South Whidbey squan- dered an early, five-point advantage. The Falcons led 15-10 in the second quarter, but they committed nine turnovers. That allowed the Wolves to close out the first half on a 16-0 run.

The rivalry game was close early. Things looked up for the Falcons in the first quarter, when they led 12-10 after the opening eight minutes. Madi Boyd, the Falcons’ starting point guard, led the way with drives to the basket. The junior found her rhythm early on layups and a floater, scoring six points in the first half and finishing with eight.

Defense wasn’t a particu- lar shortcoming for South Whidbey. The Falcons used their press defense early and often once the Wolves led by double digits. But Coupeville was able to beat the press, which allowed junior guard Breeanna Messner to score uncontested layups and a team-high 12 points.

Falcon senior post Annalies Schuster tallied four blocks, three of which came in the first half. The Wolves’ persistence in the key gave them second- chance points, and gave them the victory, despite a game-high 14 points from Falcon senior Hayley Newman.

On Saturday, the Falcons ended their three-game los- ing streak with a 42-29 win against Overlake.