As the Bulldogs women’s basketball team entered the final week of the regular season, they remained tied atop the division with Skagit, having lost only to Skagit in early January. The Bulldogs hoped to continue their winning ways over the last three games, and notch a division championship. First up for Bellevue was hosting the Everett Trojans on Monday, Feb. 20, but the Bulldogs found rough sledding once again at home, shooting only 40% from the field and going 0/4 from behind the arc. As a result of poor shooting and lackluster defense, the Bulldogs trailed 29-27 at the half.
In the second half it was marginally better for the Bulldogs, shooting 44% and 14.3% from behind the arc. Bellevue Head Coach Brent Hermanson said, “Our free throw percentage kept us in the game, going 14/17 from the line.” Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for the Bulldogs who saw their division hopes dwindle with the final play of the game when a wide-open lay-up rimmed off the basket, leaving them with a 59-57 loss to Everett. Three Bulldogs led the scoring with double-digits: Sanda Milovic with 14 points and eight rebounds; Kelsey Sparks, 13 points; and Taylor Wofford, 10.
The women had to quickly re-group for a matchup with the Shoreline Dolphins at home on Wednesday. It was the last home game of the regular season, and Sophomore Night for the Bulldogs, honoring six sophomores and their families: Sanda Milovic, Kelsey Sparks, Taylor Wofford, Courtney Batts, Monica Olivas and Corinna VanHurston. “It’s always a tough night, lots of emotions as we say good-bye to our sophomore class,” said Hermanson. “This class has been extremely effective on the court representing Bellevue College, with back-to-back 20-win seasons and a 5th place finish at the 2011 NWAACC Tournament last season.” Bellevue used the emotions of the night to fuel a 69-40 win over Shoreline, marking the Bulldogs’ 21st win on the year. Sparks and TyShana Burgess led Bellevue in scoring 12 points each, while Brittany Barrington provided six great assists.
In their final contest of the regular season, the Bulldogs traveled to Peninsula to take on the hot Pirates in a game that wouldn’t affect the Bulldogs for tournament seeding, but was extremely important for Peninsula who held a slim lead over Whatcom for third and fourth in the Division. As expected, the Pirates came out fighting, and held the Bulldogs down in the first half taking a four-point lead into half time, 31-27. After intermission, the Bulldogs came out fighting and held the Pirates to 17 points on 20% shooting. “This was by far our best defensive effort,” said coach Hermanson, “It was an intense, physical game and we simply defended with passion on every play.” Bellevue finished off the Pirates 56-48 to end the regular season 14-2 and 22-5 overall. Burgess kept the Bulldogs rolling with 16 points, and Barrington zipped six steals and 11 assists.
“It’s been an amazing season,” said coach Hermanson upon wrapping up. “We have one of the top five records in the NWAACC this season overall, finished 8-0 on the road in league play and 6-2 at home. We have to do something about that home cooking though because for the second time in three years the Bulldogs went undefeated on the road in league play, but lost two at home.”
Next up, the Bulldogs travel to the Tri-Cities for the NWAACC Basketball Championship Tournament that runs March 3-6. The North Region is matched up against the South in the first round, and Bellevue goes up against South powerhouse Clackamas (11-3, 22-4) at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 3. Updates will be available at the NWAACC website www.nwaacc.org
Last Updated November 1, 2013
