BULLDOGS SPLIT AT BIG BEND TOURNAMENT
December 10, 2012

Andrew Squiers had 16 points in the win vs. Big Bend at the Big Bend Classic in Moses Lake. photo by Rich Dworkis

On Friday, Dec. 7, the Bellevue men's basketball team travelled to Moses Lake to participate in a two-day tournament at Big Bend CC.  After two weeks off, the Bulldogs were excited to get back on the floor against traditionally strong East Region opponents Walla Walla and Big Bend. Unfortunately, in Bellevue's first game Friday night against Walla Walla, that 14-day layoff really showed as the Bulldogs had their worst shooting night of the year. Bellevue shot just 32% from the field for the game. They were worse from three-point land, missing their first 16 attempts from long distance. However, Bellevue’s tough defense stepped up and were able to hold a high-scoring Walla Walla team to just 27% shooting. In the long run, the game was lost at the foul line where the Bulldogs shot 18 out of 27, while Walla Walla turned in a fantastic team shooting performance going 35 out of 39 from the charity stripe. Walla Walla won with a final score of 73-68 handing Bellevue their second loss in a row.

Bellevue was led in scoring by sophomore Andrew Squiers with 23 points. He also grabbed six rebounds and five steals. Sophomore Tyler Stracener turned in his best effort of the year with 16 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Laudon Thomas added 12 points. 

The Bulldogs looked to end their losing streak on Saturday against the Vikings of Big Bend. Bellevue improved their shooting and reached 48% from the field for the game. Six different Bulldogs hit a three-pointer in the game as well. Big Bend and Bellevue went back and forth throughout the game with no team enjoying a larger lead than seven points. The back-and-forth game went right to the buzzer as Big Bend tied the game with less than six seconds to play. Bellevue inbounded the ball immediately and BC freshman Reggie Clinton pushed the ball up the floor to Jeff Kimmel who was able to get a three-point attempt off just before the buzzer sounded. The Bulldog bench went crazy as the last-second shot dropped through the net, giving Bellevue a 75-72 final victory.

Bellevue was again led in scoring by Squiers who had 16 points, and led a balanced attack that saw five Bulldogs score nine or more points. Thomas again reached double figures with 13 points. Stracener led the team in rebounds with six, and Clinton added four assists.

The Bulldogs host a crossover event the weekend of Dec. 14-16, pitting eight NWAACC teams from four different regions. The tournament starts on Friday at 1:00 pm with a great matchup between Spokane and Whatcom; Lower Columbia plays Chemeketa at 3:00 pm; Pierce and Mt. Hood take to the floor with a game at 5:00 pm; and Bellevue takes on Columbia Basin at 7:00 pm. Come out and enjoy some exciting NWAACC basketball all weekend at Bellevue College!