The Bellevue men’s basketball team faced significant challenges this past week, having to go toe-to-toe not only against the current top-ranked #1 Tritons of Edmonds CC on Wednesday, but then just three days later, facing the defending North Region champions, Whatcom. It was not a good week.
On Wednesday, Jan. 16, the Bulldogs hosted the Edmonds Tritons who came into the game tied for first place in the North Region with an undefeated record in league play. The Tritons continued their stellar play on the year jumping out to a 47-37 halftime lead. Edmonds got their early lead behind a solid team shooting performance ending the half at a 54% clip from the field. Edmonds took the early momentum in the second half as well, leading by as many as 20 points at one time. Bellevue would not go away easily and showed some fight in making the contest a one-point game with just less than a minute to go. However, the Bulldog comeback fell short when Bellevue missed three opportunities in the last minute to either go ahead or tie. Bellevue eventually fell to Edmonds 88-86.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Andrew Squiers and Marcus Tibbs with 18 points each. Squiers also led the team in rebounding with five, while Tibbs led the team with five assists. Freshman Daniel Greer was key to fueling the late comeback and finished with 12 points for Bellevue. Sophomore Alec Wilson once again hit four three-point shots for his fourth consecutive game on his way to 12 points for the night.
Saturday night brought a trip for the Bulldogs, up north to Bellingham for a run at the Whatcom Orcas. Bellevue and Whatcom both came into the game with matching 2-2 records in league play. In a game that mirrored the Wednesday night clash with Edmonds, the Bulldogs found themselves down double digits again at the half. This time Whatcom enjoyed a 12-point lead, 40-28 at the break. Bellevue again came out slow after half time and watched their deficit grow to 20 points for the second straight game. Down 60-40 with a little over seven minutes to go, Bellevue finally found their defensive form of the early season and held Whatcom to just three more points on the night and no field goals. Bellevue was unable to climb all the way back despite getting within two points on two occasions, and at the final buzzer, Whatcom took the win, 63-61. It was the second straight two point-defeat and third straight loss for the beleaguered Bulldogs.
Bellevue was led in scoring by Tibbs with 22 points. Squiers added 19, but was the only other Bulldog in double figures. With the loss Bellevue drops to 10-7 on the year and 2-3 in North Region play. The Bulldogs currently sit at 5th in the North Region standings and have heavy lifting to do to get back into the NWAACC playoff picture.
Bellevue looks to get back on track with two home games: the first against Skagit Valley College on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m., then the Bulldogs host #2 ranked Peninsula College on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 6:00 p.m. to finish off the first round of region play.
Last Updated September 25, 2014
