In one of the most memorable games all season, Bellevue College women’s basketball fought back from a 19 point deficit late in the third quarter to take visiting Olympic College into overtime but eventually fell 78-77.
After a competitive first quarter which saw Olympic jumping out 14-10, the Rangers put on a show with their perimeter shooting, making nearly everything they threw up in a 25-15 quarter. The Rangers shot 67% and were a perfect four for four from three point range.
Down 54-40 entering the fourth, the ‘dogs staged one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season with pressure defense and offensive aggressiveness as the Bulldogs had five steals and had seven offensive rebounds to have a 24-13 shot advantage over the Rangers. Bellevue had a balanced attack as Leeschelle Sohappy and Asha Peter dropped in nine and seven points respectively while Shannel Kovalsky was a perfect three for three in the paint for six points. Sohappy’s pressure forced a turnover which she converted into two points to give Bellevue the lead at 64-63 with 3:40 remaining. Tied at 67 with 46 seconds, both teams squandered opportunities for the win in regulation as the buzzer sounded to send the game to overtime.
In the extra period, the ‘dogs were able to manage in the final minutes after Peter, their go to person all night, fouled out with 3:00 remaining. Up 77-76 after a pair of free throws from Alexis Marcussen, the Rangers were able to take the lead as Kanzas Mills drained both of her free throws with 34 seconds left in the game. The Bulldogs missed their opportunity on the next possession as the game appeared to be over before they were blessed with another shot after the Rangers’ Mills missed a breakaway wide open layup to set the stage for one last Bulldog attempt. After taking a full time out with 22 seconds on the clock, the ‘dogs offense could not create an open shot forcing Lily Auelua to throw up a three pointer as time expired which rimmed off in the heartbreaking loss.
Peter had a highlight performance with 27 points and seven rebounds; both team highs.
The loss dropped Bellevue into a tie with Olympic and are now playing for seeding in a battle for third and fourth place in the North Region. Bellevue travels to Skagit Valley, who are 11-1 in league play, this Sat. Feb. 21 for a 6 P.M. tipoff in crucial battle down the stretch.
Last Updated February 19, 2026
