What a holiday break for the Bulldogs of the Bellevue College women’s basketball team! First of all, Dec. 17-19, they hosted the Bellevue Women’s Basketball Crossover Tournament featuring top teams from throughout the NWAACC, and the Bulldogs showed up ready to do battle. Bellevue took the first game against South division Linn-Benton, by a score of 58-53, thanks in large part to 18 points posted by sophomore Kelly Sutherland. Six-foot freshman Sanda Milovic followed closely with 12 points and 5 rebounds.
Saturday, Dec. 18, Bellevue faced Eastern powerhouse Spokane, the team that had knocked BC out of NWAACC Championship play in spring 2010 by three points. Bellevue was out for revenge and played great. Sutherland (16) and Milovic (17) again teamed up to lead the Bulldogs in scoring. Between Bellevue’s 100% shooting at the free throw line and great defense provided by Renton grad Kelsey Sparks, the Bulldogs were able to wrap up a sweet 63-56 victory.
These two wins took the Bellevue women into Sunday’s championship game against North division rival Skagit Valley. The Bulldogs pulled ahead early, then during a late second-half run, SVC pulled up to a one-point lead. That rallied the Bellevue team, driving the Bulldogs forward to a final score of 70-61, and taking the Crossover championship. Sparks had an amazing game, pulling down 23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Milovic came off the bench to contribute four 3-pointers at crucial times in the game.
All-Tournament Team selections included Bellevue’s Kelly Sutherland (MVP) and Kelsey Sparks.
Then, Bellevue hosted South Puget Sound Monday, Dec. 27, and though moving at a slower pace, still managed a 64-23 victory. Milovic contributed a double-double, netting 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs, while Sutherland worked in 13 boards. This final game brought the Bellevue women to a 7-3 pre-season record.
North Division league play begins Wednesday, Jan. 5, when Bellevue women’s basketball hosts Shoreline (4-4 on the season), beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Last Updated November 1, 2013
