The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team pulled off a big victory on the road Friday evening with a 76-72 decision over Wyoming.

The verdict lifted the Wildcats’ overall season record to 6-2 and 3-1 in the tough O-K Gold Conference. Wyoming entered the contest with a 7-1 record overall and was undefeated in league play. The Wolves had won seven in a row after a season-opening loss to Class A Jenison.

The ballgame was tight almost throughout, with the visiting ‘Cats finally deciding the outcome within the last 10 seconds when senior Jake Holtz stole an errant in-bounds pass and took the ball in for a layup. The Wolves had a change to tie it until then.

Holtz until Friday night had been sidelined with an injury since the beginning of the season.

Mitchell Dykstra scored a game high 24 points to lead the Wildcats and Zack Nieuwkoop counted 22.  Donnie Alford led Wyoming with 19 points.

Wayland moves to 3-1 in the O-K Gold Conference with the win and 6-2 overall, while Wyoming drops to 4-1 in the conference and 7-2 overall

The Wildcats will be back on the home court Tuesday evening to play East Grand Rapids.

Later in the evening, the Lady Wildcats’ varsity squad lost 57-38 to Wyoming to fall to 0-9 for the season overall.

PHOTO: Jake Holtz (Photo courtesy of Kenny Ritz)