Bellevue College men’s basketball won both of their games at the Warrior Classic hosted by Walla Walla CC. On Fri. Nov. 21, Bellevue claimed their first win of the year with a 98-74 win over Columbia Basin. The Bulldogs threw in 53 points in an offensive spree to open the game. Bellevue established a 12 point margin at halftime and matched it in the second half for the blowout win.
The Hawks stayed with BC throughout much of the first half before a four point swing with 7:28 remaining in the half moved the needle towards control by the Bulldogs. Shawn Etheridge made a free throw which was then followed by a three-pointer by the Bulldogs’ Blake Stempniak. The long range shot put Bellevue up by eight at 32-24 which then extended to 36-24 on buckets by Caden Culver and Max Mayo. The Bulldogs ended up shooting the lights out in the first half, making 21-of-30, good for 70%.
Although the Bulldogs cooled down shooting-wise in the second half, Bellevue maintained control with 77% shooting at the free throw line, making 10 of 13 and controlled the boards, out-rebounding Columbia Basin 19-12. Mayo had 24 points while Sawyer Cottrell threw in 21 to lead Bellevue’s scoring efforts.
The Bulldogs won their second game in two days on Sat. Nov. 22 with a comeback 82-77 win over host Walla Walla. Down by two at halftime, the ‘dogs rallied for 45 points in the second half on 60% shooting and clutch free throws down the stretch, sinking 11 of 13 for 85%.
Down for the early part of the second half, Josiah Johnson, Bellevue’s third year super sophomore, scored two consecutive buckets to tie the game at 47. Transfer Caden Culver drained two three-pointers to give BC a 58-52 lead. The ‘dogs would hold onto the lead as Johnson and Culver would continue to deliver, preventing multiple near comeback attempts from the Warriors. In the final two minutes, the Bulldogs also received clutch free throw shooting by Culver and Cottrell to seal the win. Culver had the hot hand for the night for BC making eight-of-nine from the floor for 24 points. Johnson, coming off a season long injury, continued to work his way back into form he displayed two seasons ago with 19 points off the bench.
The Bulldogs host South Puget Sound for their home opener this Tue. Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.
Last Updated November 22, 2025
