Any momentum the Mercer Island boys basketball team picked up through the first month of the season evaporated Friday as rival Bellevue picked them apart 55-30.

Mercer Island had won all three meetings between the two teams last season and was hoping to take another, along with sole possession of first place in 3A KingCo. Instead, questions remain about the Islanders as they dropped into third in the division.

The win vaulted Bellevue into the top 10 in nearly all the 3A state rankings.

MIHS senior Peter Zajac led the Islanders with 12 points but two Bellevue players scored more.

Wolverine guard Aaron Bright (15) and forward Colton Christian (14) teamed up to make a dynamic duo, picking apart the Islander defense for a dominant 31-14 half time lead.

Bellevue would not need much more as Mercer Island’s six-point third quarter effort sank any chance for a comeback.

Mercer Island will try to get back on the winning track as they host Liberty Friday at 8 p.m.

The Islanders hosted Sammamish Tuesday (after Reporter deadline).