With an overall record of 1-3, one would think this is going to be a long year for the Bellevue College women’s basketball team. However, the increased competitiveness from game one, a blowout loss to a national junior college, to an overtime 70-64 loss to the defending NWAC champion Walla Walla Warriors last night, indicates a young team on the rise that is enduring one of the toughest pre-season schedules in the region.
The Bulldogs, who trailed 20-14 after the first quarter last night in the opening round of the Pierce Raider Holiday Classic, chipped back and took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Warriors 16-11 to send the game into overtime. The charge was led by freshman Emma Jackson, who scored six in the final quarter, including a basket to put Bellevue up by three with 1:14 remaining, but the ‘dogs could not hold on as a costly foul, missed field goal attempt, and turnover, all within the last minute allowed an experienced Walla Walla team to come back to tie the game.
In OT, Bellevue gave early momentum to the Warriors as Walla Walla jumped out to a lead as big as five before Bellevue was able to bring it to within two on a basket by Amanda Luckett, making it a 66-64 game with 40 seconds remaining, but the Warriors made key free throws down the stretch preventing Bellevue’s comeback. Lucket led BC with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting and led the squad underneath with nine rebounds. Jackson had the other hot hand for the ‘dogs, with 6-for-10 shooting from the field for 13 points.
Bellevue takes on Wenatchee Valley at noon today in consolation bracket play in Lakewood. Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m.
Last Updated December 8, 2018
