A prolific performance in the second half was the difference for the Mercer Island Islanders boys lacrosse team against the Bothell Cougars.

The Islanders, who were tied at 3-3 with the Cougars at halftime, outscored Bothell 5-2 in the final 24 minutes of play en route to a 8-5 victory on May 2 at Bothell High School.

Mercer Island coach Ian O’Hearn said his team displayed more passion in the second half of play against Bothell.

“At halftime, one of the things we were lacking was intensity. We had a big upset win over Bellevue and really strong wins against Issaquah and Woodinville, so we were kind of cocky. (Coaching staff) warned them beforehand that Bothell is a good team and that it wasn’t going to be easy. We came out flat. The primary thing was to just come out intense in the second half and fight for ground balls. That is what we did and we pulled out the win,” O’Hearn said.