BULLDOG WOMEN WIN ONE, LOSE TWO AT NWAACC CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 3, 2008

Sophomore Marissa Bower averaged 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in Bellevue's three games at the NWAACC Championship Tournament.

The BCC women’s basketball team ended their season after three games at the NWAACC Tournament in Kennewick, Washington February 28 - March 2, bowing out in the third round. In spite of the dissapointing finish, BCC made their third consecutive appearence at the championships, and continued to solidify their position as a force in the NWAACC.

Bellevue's opening round opponent was eventual Tournament runner-up the Community College of Spokane. The Sasquatch took control early, outscoring Bellevue 34-23 in the opening period, and extending their lead to 16 points early in the second half. The Bulldogs fought hard, but were unable to gain any ground, eventually falling by a score of 47-58. Marissa Bower led the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points, and chipped in a team high 7 rebounds as well.

Determined not to head home with two consecutive losses, Bellevue put together an inspired second half effort, staying alive via a 83-70 victory over Linn Benton Community College of Oregon. Down six at halftime and facing elimination, the Bulldogs uncorked a 52 point barrage on the Roadrunners, riding five double figure scorers to the win. Briana Lewis led Bellevue with 20 points, while Danielle Bue and Lyndsee Landon scored 17 and 15 points apeice. Bower tallied 12 points and a team high 8 rebounds, and Kaneshia Brooks scored 11 to round out the double figure scoring.

Saturday saw Bellevue pitted against a familiar foe in league rival North Seattle Community College. The two teams, having split their regular season matchup, played the game with all of the intensity of a heated league rivalry. Seattle jumped out to a 12 point lead early in the half, but the Bulldogs ended the first half on a 13-2 run, leaving the score knotted at 27. The second half was a dramatic back and forth battle. With time winding down and Seattle clinging to a 1 point lead, Kaneshia Brooks layup curled off the back iron, and Bellevue's season came to a close with a 57-58 loss. In her final game as a Bulldog, sophomore Alicia Tennyson led her team with 12 points and 7 assists.

The Bulldogs finished their first season with an 18-12 mark under first year head coach Steve Lowe. Although BCC failed to win their third straight regional title, 2008 marked the third consecutive appearence in the NWAACC Tournament for the Bulldog women, a strong indication of the program's resurgence under Lowe and former head coach Cheryl Sorenson. Bellevue has finished first or second in Northern Region play in each of the past three seasons.