Slam Claim IBL Regular Season Title with Blowout Win
July 2, 2012 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam clinched the International Basketball League's regular season title with a 149-103 victory over the Oregon Hotshots on Sunday at Whatcom Pavilion.
The win puts the Slam's regular season record at a league-best 15-3. Second-place Edmonton has a chance to match that mark with one game remaining, but Bellingham holds the tiebreaker by virtue of their head-to-head record this season.
Earning the league's best record assures the Slam of a top seed in next week's IBL Championship Tournament, which begins Thursday in Bellingham. As a number one seed, the Slam will earn a first round bye and will see their first action in a semi-final game on Friday.
In Sunday's game, the Slam started out on fire, perhaps inspired by Saturday's tough loss in Portland, racing out to a 23-9 lead after the first six minutes.
Bellingham refused to relent in the second quarter, leading by as much as 29 before heading into halftime with a 82-52 lead.
Oregon was able to stop the bleeding in the third quarter and didn't allow the Slam to extend their lead.
The same couldn't be said for the fourth quarter, as the Slam held the Hotshots to 20 points as the lead surpassed the 40-point mark halfway through the quarter.
Every Slam play who saw action scored in double figures, led by Jacob Stevenson with 31 points. Blake Poole put in 25 points and added 12 rebounds, while Morris Anderson and Drew Ready each finished with 22 points and 10 assists.
The Slam's next game will be on Friday as they await the winner of a first round playoff game on Thursday against the Vancouver Volcanoes and Salem Soldiers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion.
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International Basketball League Stories from July 2, 2012
- Slam Claim IBL Regular Season Title with Blowout Win - Bellingham Slam
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