Bellingham edges top-ranked Edmonton, 121-115
June 29, 2009 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam came through with their second come-from-behind performance in as many nights as they upended the Edmonton Energy, 121-115, in an action-packed International Basketball League tilt at Whatcom Pavilion on Sunday.
Trailing by two, at 113-111, with two minutes left to play, Paul Hafford completed a three-point play that gave the Slam the lead for good. Near-perfect defense preserved the victory, as the Slam outscored the Energy 7-2 following Hafford's key play.
It was the second straight game that the Slam used a three-point play to grab a late lead. On Saturday, Jacob Stevenson helped the Slam defeat Oregon with just over a minute left in the same fashion.
The Slam opened up the game strong, leading by as many as 12 in the first half before heading into halftime with a 64-56 advantage.
The third quarter, usually Bellingham's time to excel, was dominated early by Edmonton, who used a 25-7 run in the first 5:15 to take a ten-point lead, at 81-71. But the Slam responded quickly, scoring 17 points in a three-minute run that was interrupted only once with a Stephen Sir three-pointer. Edmonton was able to regroup, and scored the quarter's seven points, and took a three-point lead into the fourth quarter on a buzzer-beating trey by Sir.
The fourth quarter was a see-saw battle with six lead changes and four ties before Hafford gave the Slam the lead for keeps with his clutch three-point play.
Ryan Diggs led seven Bellingham players in double figures with 25 points, while Jacob Stevenson continued his strong play with 18.
Edmonton's Sir led all scorers with 34 points. Lee Scruggs contributed a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
The win keeps open the possibility of the Slam, who finished their regular season with a 16-4 record, earning the top seed in next week's IBL playoffs. The Slam would need both the Los Angeles Lightning (14-3) and Edmonton (16-3) to lose their final regular season games in Tacoma and Vancouver B.C., respectively. That scenario would give the Slam the number one seed because they won the season series with the Energy 2-1.
Top seed or not, the Slam are assured of a bye in the first round of next week's playoff tournament in Monroe. They will begin with second-round play on Thursday against an opponent to be determined.
International Basketball League Stories from June 29, 2009
- Ford rejoins Explosion for playoffs - Snohomish County Explosion
- Devon Greene ends the season as the IBL scoring leader - Snohomish County Explosion
- Bellingham edges top-ranked Edmonton, 121-115 - Bellingham Slam
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