A big second half by sophomore center Garrett Kirk helped the Escambia Academy Cougars hold on to beat area foe Morgan Academy 63-60 Friday night.

Kirk’s double-double led the team with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Senior guard Jordan Sasser chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in the win.

“We killed them inside in the second half,” said coach Kevin Woods. “They didn’t have anyone who could match up with Garrett.”

The Cougars took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Morgan began to chip away at the EA lead, Woods said.

“We withstood a barrage from them,” he said.

Morgan hit five threes in the final quarter, while the Cougars missed seven free throws, which made the game “uncomfortably close,” Woods said.

The road win moves the Cougars to 2-0 in the area and 14-2 overall. They will host Morgan on Friday with games starting at 4 p.m.

The Cougars took on Fort Dale Academy Tuesday night, but results weren’t available as of press time.