Bellevue College men’s basketball scored a big win at home over Skagit Valley in overtime, 88-83. The Bulldogs rode the hot hand of Josiah Johnson who had 28 points. Johnson was not only electric from the field on seven-of-11 shooting but was a perfect 13-for-13 from the line as BC cashed in on 30 of 38 free throws for 79%. Bellevue took advantage of 27 Skagit Valley fouls and outscored the Cardinals by 16 points at the line.
After a lights out first half in which Bellevue shot 60%, the Bulldogs went into the locker room at halftime with a 38-32 lead. Skagit Valley answered with a 41-35 edge in the second half as the Cards’ defense clamped down on Johnson who was limited to only two shots in the half. The ‘dogs were up by 13 with 8:07 left to play and appeared to be on their way to an easy win before a cold streak prevented any BC points for nearly five minutes as Skagit rallied back to 67-62. The Cardinals would then tie the game on a layup by Jerry Hayes making it 69 all with 1:12 to go. The teams traded scores non-stop for the final minute as each team came up big on every possession. Skagit’s Amare Jackson scored as time expired to send the game into overtime at 73-73.
It overtime, the Bulldogs’ clutch shooting at the line came to full force as Johnson nailed all four of his attempts in a 30 second stretch to give BC an 85-83 lead. Logan Stempniak would make two more with three seconds remaining to seal the win.
Bellevue is 3-4 in North Region play and 14-8 overall. They host Olympic next Wed. Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
Last Updated February 1, 2024
