Bellevue College men’s basketball began the 2016-17 season with a fresh start with not only nine new players but also with a convincing 90-60 win over Columbia Basin College in the opening round of the Pierce Thanksgiving Tourney on Friday, Nov. 25. The Bulldogs ended up 2-1 over the weekend to claim third place in the team’s annual season opening tourney.
In the Friday win, Bellevue shot the lights out in the first half, draining 66 percent from the field, jumping out to a 54-22 halftime lead. The hot hands were seen up and down the roster as five players scored in double digits. David Babayan led BC with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. His contributions were even more phenomenal considering he led the team in all three categories while playing only 19 minutes. Fellow returner Jack Walton had 11 points while the third returning sophomore, Jordan Muir-Keung had 10 along with newcomers Max Tilden and Ryan Fischer.
On Saturday November 26, BC lost to Clackamas, a perennial power in Oregon, by a score of 77-66. Muir-Keung led Bellevue with 19 points and 6 assists. The Bulldogs had chances in the second half, but could not capitalize at the free throw line, converting only 7-of-15 from the line.
On Sunday November 27, Bellevue took third place with a win over Linn-Benton (OR) 101-88. Down by 7 at halftime, the Bulldogs came out on fire in the second half, outscoring the Roadrunners 57-37 to steal the win. Taylor Freeman and Muir-Keung had the hot hands from the perimeter, draining 26 and 23 points respectively. The two were a combined 5-for-8 from three-point land as well. The inside threat was present as well as Tilden and Walton combined for 24 points and 15 rebounds down under for BC.
Bellevue’s next action is this weekend at a neutral site; Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA for a Saturday night matchup vs. Chemeketa at 6 p.m. and a Sunday, Dec. 4 contest at 2 p.m. vs. Umpqua. Both teams are from Oregon and will meet BC halfway up I-5 for the round-robin games.
Last Updated December 1, 2016
