With a new head coach in Marcus Fermon, and almost an entirely new team, the winning theme remained the same for the 2023-24 men’s basketball team as they won a pair of games to kick off the season, defeating Big Bend 89-66 and South Puget Sound 72-71.
On Saturday, Bellevue used a 53 point second half to dominate the visiting Vikings after trailing 38-36 at halftime. Logan Stempniak led the charge with an amazing six-for-eight from three-point range and was 10-for-12 for 26 points in the second half.
Bellevue rallied from a 12-point deficit at halftime to overcome South Puget Sound in the one point victory. It was the second night in a row the ‘dogs came out hot in the second half. BC shot the lights out following intermission, draining five of 11 three-pointers and making 64% and 71% from the field and free throw line respectively. Josiah Johnson had the hot hand draining eight of 11 from the field for 19 points in the second half. He finished with 23 points. Stempniak was a force again for the second night in a row with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bulldogs, coming off an NWAC title, appear to be ready to defend the title with a strong debut under Fermon and the young squad. They host Tacoma on Wednesday Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
Last Updated November 19, 2023
