After a historic run to last season’s final four with a sophomore-dominated team, Bellevue’s youth was exposed last night as the team lost on the road to Salt Lake City 70-39 to open the 2018-19 season. Salt Lake City, a national junior college, is already 6-2 on the year while Bellevue drops to 0-1.
The Bruins raced out 22-10 after one quarter and held the ‘dogs to only six points in the second quarter going into the locker room with a commanding 36-16 lead. Bellevue managed to settle down after the break as the team shot only 29% in the first half. The Bruins outmuscled the Bulldogs with 13 rebounds in the first half compared to Bellevue’s seven. Salt Lake kept the game in control by outscoring BC 21-2 on turnovers and 16-4 on offensive putbacks.
Head Coach, Mel Stubblefield, the 2017-18 Coach of the Year, stated pre-trip, “I just expect our players to compete. We know we are young and playing a national juco on the road; I just want them to learn to compete in this environment to help us once league play starts.”
Running with an all-freshman starting lineup, Bellevue was led by the eight points by Emma Jackson. Sophomore Sidney Schultz also chipped in eight and had two steals as well.
Bellevue continues play against Utah State Eastern, another national junior college who is undefeated at 7-0 heading into today’s noon tipoff.
Last Updated December 7, 2020
