Amaya, Graham lead Slam past rival Explosion, 130-116
Published on May 2, 2009 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELINGHAM, Wash. - Forward Tyler Amaya and guard Ira Graham combined to score 60 points as the Bellingham Slam defeated the Snohomish County Explosion in a hotly contested International Basketball League game at Whatcom Pavilion on Friday.
Amaya led the Slam with 31 points in the contest, while Graham finished with 29 points and 13 assists. The pair of ex-Vikings also combined to pull down 22 rebounds, with Graham falling just two boards short of a triple-double.
The start saw the Explosion jump out to an early lead, before the Slam closed the first quarter with a 13-4 run to lead 31-26 after 12 minutes.
The two teams played a nearly even second quarter as Bellingham took a 63-57 lead into halftime, with Graham notching 11 of his 29 points in the period.
Despite playing shorthanded, the Slam refused to give in to a deeper Explosion team in the second half. Bellingham faltered slightly to start the third quarter, allowing Snohomish County to come back and take their first lead since the first quarter, at 73-72, with eight minutes left. But the Slam responded with a barrage of quick points, putting up 11 in 90 seconds to take an eight point advantage, their largest of the quarter. The Slam extended the margin to ten, at 102-92, going into the fourth quarter.
The Slam thwarted the Explosion's comeback attempt in the final frame, never allowing their lead to slip into single digits. Bellingham maxed out their advantage at 19, at 120-103, on a Graham bucket off a Steve Newman steal and assist.
Jake Linton and Lukas Henne complemented Graham and Amaya's stellar performances with 18 points apiece. Newman recorded his best night in a Slam uniform with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Explosion's Devon Greene led all scorers with 34 points, while Richard Ford added 31.
The Slam played the contest without Jacob and Jared Stevenson, who were serving a league-imposed suspension. Jacob's suspension is now complete, while Jared must sit out one additional game.
The Slam head north for a road contest against the Vancouver Titans on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:15 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre.
International Basketball League Stories from May 2, 2009
- Amaya leads Slam to road victory against Titans, 120-109 - Bellingham Slam
- Explosion will play against Japan in-spite of the Swine Flu Scare - Snohomish County Explosion
- Amaya, Graham lead Slam past rival Explosion, 130-116 - Bellingham Slam
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