BELLEVUE MEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS WITH TWO WINS IN OREGON
November 21, 2012

Returning guard Andrew Squiers led Bellevue with 26 points and 9 rebounds in their tough road win at perennial power Clackamas. photo by Rich Dworkis

The Bellevue men's basketball team opened their season over the weekend of November 17-18, with a trip to Oregon for two games, the first played against the Linfield College JV team. In the first half, the Bulldogs demonstrated first-game jitters while shooting poorly and turning the ball over on many offensive possessions. The Bulldogs took a five-point lead into half time determined to improve in the second half. And improve they did as Bellevue turned up their defense turning steals into easy baskets. The Bulldogs turned their five-point first half lead into a 54 point victory. Every Bulldog scored in the 101-47 victory.

The second game of the Bulldog trip pitted Bellevue against South Region powerhouse Clackamas CC. The Cougars from Clackamas are perennially one of the best teams in the NWAACC. The last time Bellevue made the NWAACC basketball final, they lost to Clackamas. Last season the Bulldogs swept Clackamas in three hotly contested games. This time around Clackamas jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and Bellevue need an early time out to regroup. The Bulldogs slowly worked their way back into the game and took over the momentum on a Daniel Greer 5-0 run. Greer hit a deep three to pull Bellevue within one point and then off a steal by BC freshman Kwame Kang had a huge dunk over an opposing Clackamas player. This gave Bellevue their first lead of the game and got the Bulldogs back into the game. The teams had runs back and forth to end the half and went into the locker room tied up at 35 points a piece.

In the second half, the lead continued to go back and forth as each team ran out to a lead only to be caught by their opponent. In the closing moments of the game, Andrew Squiers and Reggie Clinton hit key free throws to seal a 69-65 Bellevue victory. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by sophomore Squiers who finished with 26 points and nine rebounds. Greer scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Tyler Stracener added 11 points.

Bellevue continues play the weekend of November 23-24 in the annual Pierce Community College Thanksgiving Tournament. The Bulldogs open the tourney with a game against South Puget Sound Community College at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23.