The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team lifted its overall season record to 16-3 Tuesday evening with a 77-49 victory at East Grand Rapids, thereby clinching second place in the O-K Gold Conference.

The Wildcats enjoyed leads of 17-9, 33-18 and 53-34 leads at the first three period stops. They took control late in the first quarter and never looked back.

Wayland, tied with Grand Rapids Catholic Central in the No. 8 slot in the latest Associated Press state-wide Class B poll, has absorbed defeats only at the hands of unbeaten teams this season. It lost twice to undefeated Grand Rapids Christian, the No. 1 team in Class A, and by just two points to Wyoming Godwin Heights, the No. 1-ranked team in Class B.

Avery Hudson scored 31 points for Wayland. Zack Nieuwkoop added 13 and Mitchell Dykstra 11.

The Wildcats will play their final O-K Gold Conference regular season game at home at 6 p.m. Friday against Forest Hills Eastern and then play at Holland Wednesday, March 1, before beginning Class B district tournament play Monday, March 6, on their home court against Hopkins.