The Bellevue men’s basketball team spent their holiday weekend participating in the 9th Annual Pierce College Thanksgiving Tournament. The Bulldogs came into the tourney undefeated on the year with a 2-0 record. In their first round matchup on Friday, Nov. 23, Bellevue took on the South Puget Sound Community College Clippers. This was the first game of the early season for the Clippers who were coming off an NWAACC tournament appearance from the year before. Bellevue took an early lead in the first half and never looked back. The Bulldogs turned an eight-point half time lead into a resounding 73-50 victory. Bellevue relied on excellent defense holding the Clippers to just 32% shooting from the field for the game. Bellevue also forced 22 turnovers on the game. Bellevue was led in scoring by freshmen Daniel Greer with 18 points. Sophomore Jeffrey Kimmel shot 100% from the field on his way to 11 points and six rebounds. Freshmen Andrew Holloway, Jr. and Reggie Clinton each added 11 points to round out the double digit scoring for the Bulldogs.
This first round win marked a milestone for head coach Jeremy Eggers as he recorded his 200th victory as the coach of the Bulldogs.
In the semifinal game on Saturday, the Bulldogs took on Lane Community College from Oregon. BC jumped out to an early lead in the first half once again, this time leading by as much as 19 in the first half of the game. Bellevue went into the break with a 39-27 lead. However, Lane never gave up and continued pushing the Bulldogs throughout the second half. Lane’s defensive pressure got them within two points at 55-53. A timeout by head coach Eggers and two big shots by sophomore captain Andrew Squiers gave the Bulldogs the final lead they needed to see the game out. Bellevue eventually beat Lane 75-65 and was led in scoring by Squiers with 17 points and three steals. Greer knocked down three three point shots on his way to 14 points. Sophomore Tyler Stracener scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds while Clinton also added 13 points. The win moved Bellevue into the championship game against tournament host Pierce College.
On Sunday, the championship game followed an early season pattern for the Bulldogs as they again jumped out to an early lead on their opponent. Pierce College quickly responded and tied the game at 18 points with 12 minutes to go in the first half. The teams battled back and forth until Pierce made a late half run to take a 41-31 lead into the second half. Bellevue never responded and watched as Pierce was able to extend their lead to 93-66 final victory. The 27-point loss was a huge disappointment for the Bulldogs team. Bellevue lacked the defensive intensity that had led them to their first four wins on the season. Bellevue gave up 62% shooting and was out rebounded 37-22 by Pierce. Bellevue was once again led by Greer and Squiers who scored 18 and 16 points, respectively.
BC next plays in the Big Bend Classic on December 7-8 in Moses Lake. The Bulldogs will play Eastern region powers Walla Walla Community College and Big Bend Community College on back-to-back nights.
Last Updated November 1, 2013
