Offensive Struggles Cost Slam Their Season
July 3, 2011 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam couldn't have picked a worse time for one of their poorest offensive performances in recent memory, as they lost to the Vancouver Volcanoes, 105-96, in the semi-finals of the International Basketball League playoffs at the O'Connell Sports Complex in Vancouver on Saturday.
The 96 points scored was the fewest for the Slam in since 2007 and snapped a streak of 102 games in which the team scored at least 100 points.
The loss ended the Slam's season with a 16-4 record and also marked the first time in the team's six-year history in which they did not win a playoff game in a given season.
Despite playing in a first round game against Portland on Friday, the Volcanoes were able to match the Slam's intensity to start out, providing for an entertaining first quarter that included seven lead changes and eventually saw the two teams play to a 25-25 tie.
Both teams' offenses began to struggle in the second quarter, with the two sides combining for just 37 points. Despite shooting just 27 percent from the floor in the quarter, Bellingham was able to keep the Volcanoes in check until back-to-back dunks by forwards Jake Carlisle and Lawrence Blackledge helped give Vancouver a 45-42 lead at halftime.
The game remained tight for much of the third quarter before Vancouver began to pull ahead, thanks to an 8-0 run in the frame's middle stages that changed a 58-56 lead into a six-point deficit for the visitors. Vancouver went into the final period leading 69-64.
The Volcanoes truly found their rhythm in the fourth quarter, as they extended their lead to double digits within the first two minutes, at 78-64. Twice Bellingham was able to pull within eight, but they couldn't get further stops to draw any closer. Several times the Volcanoes were fortunate to have desperation three-point heaves find the bottom of the net as the shot clock expired.
As a team, the Slam shot a season-low 36.8 percent from the floor and was just 4-of-29 from three-point range.
Guard Jacob Stevenson was one of only three Slam players to score in double figures, leading with 19 points. Forward Tyler Amaya posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Alex Hartman came off the bench to lead Vancouver with 25 points, thanks to 7-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Down low, forward Devin Uskoski was also very productive, putting up totals of 17 points and 19 rebounds.
The Volcanoes advance to the 2011 IBL Championship game on Sunday, facing off against the Edmonton Energy, who defeated the Albany Legends, 110-103, in Saturdays other semi-final pairing. Tip-off for the title game is set for 1 p.m.
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International Basketball League Stories from July 3, 2011
- Edmonton Energy Makes It to IBL Championship Game But Falls - Edmonton Energy
- Offensive Struggles Cost Slam Their Season - Bellingham Slam
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