Host BC Men Win Bellevue Bulldog Classic

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Jordan Muir-Keung

The Bellevue College men’s basketball team proved to be ungracious hosts, notching three consecutive victories to win the Bellevue Bulldog Classic over the weekend at the Courter Family Athletic Pavilion.

The Bulldogs (7-1), ranked sixth in the NWAC Under Armour Coaches Poll for Dec. 9, opened with an 89-82 victory over Portland CC on Friday, Dec. 9, followed with an 81-77 victory over Walla Walla. In the title game, BC edged Highline 48-47 to extend its winning streak to six.

BC sophomore guard Jordan Muir-Keung was named tournament MVP and sophomore guard Taylor Freeman also was named to the all-tournament first team.

In the opener, the Bulldogs shot 52.8 percent (19-of-36) in the first half for a 48-39 lead and then maintained after the break. Muir-Keung was 11-for-18 from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, for a game-high 29 points. Freeman added 14 points, freshman guard Trey Nelson added 12, and David Babayan and Julion Mackey each chipped in with 10.

Muir-Keung continued his hot shooting against Walla Walla, making 10-of-16 shots en route to a game-high 22 points. Freeman added 20 points, sophomore forward Jack Walton 13, and Nelson 11. Walton, Freeman and freshman center Max Tilden each grabbed eight rebounds to pace BC to a 50-38 advantage on the boards.

Taylor Freeman
Taylor Freeman

The Bulldogs eked out the narrow victory in the title game despite shooting just 27 percent (17-of-62), including 4-of-23 from three-point range. The Thunderbirds shot 33 percent, but were limited to 46 attempts, making 15. The rest of the stats were almost as even as the final score. Highline made one more three-pointer and BC held a 42-41 rebound advantage. BC was 10-of-15 from the free-throw line, while Highline made 12 free throws – but more importantly, missed eight.

Muir-Keung again led the Bulldogs with 18 points, along with five rebounds. Freeman added 11 points and six rebounds, while Tilden grabbed a a team-high eight boards.

The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday, Dec. 15 in the first round of the Spokane Crossover in Spokane, Wash. BC opens against Mt. Hood at 5:30 p.m., and then will face Grays Harbor on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The Bulldogs final game of the crossover will be against host Spokane CC, ranked No. 1 in the current poll and the defending NWAC champion, on Saturday at 3 p.m.

 

Last Updated December 13, 2016