Bellevue College men’s basketball traveled to Bellingham and took care of business with a strong second half showing in a 79-68 win. The Bulldogs put up 49 points in the second half to seize control with 64% shooting and made 20-of-24 from the free throw line. Bellevue switched things up with offensive approach with only three attempts from three point range, focusing on shots inside the line. Known for often throwing up over 50% of their total attempts from long range, BC’s Isaiah White was six-for-seven from the field without a three point attempt. The 19 fouls by the Orcas (only seven for BC) in the second half allowed the ‘dogs to keep Whatcom at a distance down the stretch.
With the game being within one point in either team’s favor for most of the game, the ‘dogs finally broke loose with 5:29 to go in the game on a three-pointer by Cooper Brown, putting BC up 62-58. White would follow with a layup that gave Bellevue a six point lead; their largest of the game. White would answer every time Whatcom scored for the next three minutes before the clutch free throw shooting by the Bulldogs sealed the win. Darek Usitalo, White, Josh Dabasinksas, and Max Mayo were a perfect nine-for-nine from the free throw line in the final minutes.
Usitalo and White led BC with 23 and 21 points respectively. Mayo chipped in 13 with a perfect seven-for-seven from the line. The road win moves Bellevue into second place at 3-1 in North Region play (8-11 overall). The Bulldogs play at Shoreline this Wed. Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Updated January 19, 2025
