GRAYLING – The Alpena Wildcats varsity boys basketball team earned a hard-fought road win on Tuesday, as it defeated Grayling 50-45.

Both offenses got off to a slow start and the Wildcats did not score their first points until the five-minute mark of the first quarter when Kai Peterson got Alpena’s offense kickstarted with a bank shot in the paint.

The teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the first quarter and the score was deadlocked 12-12. heading into the second quarter.

Grayling started the second quarter on a 4-0 run, before Alpena guard Connor Tulgestka connected on a jump shot in the lane to cut the deficit to two points, 14-16, with six minutes left in the half.

Freshman standout Bryton Nostrant hit back-to-back three pointers near the end of the first half and the game remained tied 24-24 as the two teams left the floor at halftime.

Kai Peterson got the action going for the Wildcats in the third quarter, connecting from behind the three-point line to give Alpena a 27-24 lead. The game continued to go back and forth and the Wildcats led 41-37 entering the fourth quarter.

The matchup remained close throughout the fourth quarter as both teams played aggressively on both ends of the court.

With under a minute to play Kai Peterson delivered a perfect pass to Evan Haun for the easy layup, which pushed Alpena’s lead to 50-41 lead Alpena never looked back.

Freshman Bryton Nostrant led all Alpena scorers with 20 points.

Next up for Grayling (2-4) is a home matchup with Alcona on Friday night while Alpena hosts Traverse City Central on Thursday. The win improves Alpena’s record to 3-1.

Both games are scheduled to tip off at 7pm.