The Bellevue College Bulldogs took on the class of the North Region last week in games against Edmonds CC and Whatcom CC, ranked number three and four, respectively, in the NWAACC Alaska Airlines poll. Bellevue traveled to Edmonds on Wednesday, Feb. 13, for a tough road matchup with the league-leading Tritons. The Bellevue men executed their game plan well, holding the Tritons to just 35 points in the first half. However, the Bulldogs were not able to match their defensive effort on the offensive end, shooting just 42% for the half. Bellevue also missed four crucial first-half free throws and were able to muster only 26 points on the road. Down by nine entering the second half, Bellevue was able to close the gap and put pressure on the first place Tritons. Down five points at 56-51 with less than four minutes to play, Bellevue was outscored 15-6 down the stretch. This final run gave the Tritons a 71-57 victory.
Bellevue was led in scoring by sophomore Alec Wilson with 14 points. Daniel Greer was the only other double-digit scorer for the Bulldogs, tallying 11 points before he went out in the first half with an ankle injury. Andrew Squiers finished with an impressive all-around game, grabbing five rebounds and handing out four assists while holding Edmonds’ leading scorer to just six points.
Then, on Sunday, Feb. 17, Bellevue hosted Whatcom. This was the final home game for the Bulldogs and marked the celebration of the careers of our five sophomores. Jeffrey Kimmel, Tyler Stracener, Alec Wilson, Marcus Tibbs, and Andrew Squierswere all honored prior to the game. Squiers also received word that he had made the NWAACC All-Academic Sports Team for his hard work in the classroom, as well as the basketball court.
The game against Whatcom was eerily similar to the Bulldogs’ previous matchup with Edmonds. Whatcom came into the game in second place in the North Region and Bellevue looked to use their defense to get an upset. Bellevue again limited a high-scoring offense, this time holding Whatcom to just 37 first-half points. Unfortunately, Bellevue struggled from the floor and was able to score only eight field goals in the first half. Down 37-24 at the break, the Bulldogs once again were able to close the gap and make things interesting down the stretch. However, Bellevue could not match Whatcom’s firepower and two clutch three-point shots by Whatcom ended the Bulldog comeback with less than two minutes to go. Bellevue eventually fell by a final score of 72-60.
Bellevue was led in scoring by Stracener with 18 points, while freshman Andrew Holloway scored 13 points off the bench. Squiers turned in another all-around game, as he netted 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out five assists.
With the two defeats, Bellevue falls into a tie for fourth place at 5-7 in the North Region standings. Although a long shot, the Bulldogs still have a chance to make the NWAACC Basketball Championship Tournament if they can pull out two victories over the final week of league play. Bellevue first travels to Mount Vernon to take on the Skagit Valley Cardinals (3-9, 10-15) on Wednesday, Feb. 20, with a 7:00 p.m. game time. Then back on the road on Saturday, Feb. 23, to Port Angeles to face Peninsula College (7-5, 16-9) for another 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
Last Updated February 2, 2016
