In a game featuring a team with a 1-16 record against an 18-0 team, one would think a blowout was in the making, but Bellevue College men’s basketball showed they can play with anyone as they nearly pulled off an upset falling 81-76 to top-ranked and undefeated Skagit Valley. With a different style of game last night going 9-for-12 from three-point range (well below their 20+ average attempts this season), and with a huge game from local product Marshall Clark who came ready to play, BC outscored Skagit 44-43 in the second half as Clark led the way with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Tijohn Rodde’s hot hand kept BC in the game, draining all three of his three-point attempts.
Halfway through the second half, the game appeared to be the blowout many expected as Skagit Valley began to pull away with a 25-point lead at 62-37. Bellevue would chip away, and all of a sudden found themselves back in the game after a key stretch at the 2:49 mark as BC reeled off eight points in their next three possessions to cut the lead to 11. A Skagit Valley foul put Bellevue’s Gerald Hood at the line who converted both shots to trim the deficit to a game within reach at 79-70 with :58 to go. Skagit Valley did their job making free throws after Bellevue was forced to go into foul mode to keep Bellevue from getting any closer.
Hood had a breakout game for the ‘dogs, going 9-for-15 from the field for 24 points. Clark had 17 points and led BC with 8 rebounds while Rodde chipped in 14 points on 4-for-5 three-point shooting.
The Bulldogs return home this Wednesday January 15 for a 7:00 tipoff against Whatcom.
Last Updated January 12, 2020
