Slam Eye Division Title Going Into Season's Final Month
June 4, 2010 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam are still eyeing a division title heading into the final month of the International Basketball League season, despite an 8-5 record. The team would likely need to win its seven remaining regular season games and get a little help from other teams in order to accomplish the feat.
Running the table will be a difficult task for the Slam, as they face four straight road games later this month, two against teams that have already defeated them at home this season. However, putting together what would amount to an eight-game winning streak is not unheard of for the Slam. The squad strung together 12 straight victories during their 2008 IBL Championship season. A 15-5 record at the end of the regular season would likely give the Slam a coveted first-round bye in the IBL playoffs.
After facing the Central Oregon Hotshots at home on Saturday, the Slam will head south for back-to-back games against the Yamhill Highflyers and Vancouver Volcanoes the following weekend. The team will play two more road contests in Tacoma and Olympia before returning home to face the Oregon Waves on June 20.
The Slam will travel to Oregon again for the conference playoff tournament starting July 1. The IBL rejected a bid by the Slam to host the tournament in Bellingham.
Later this month, the Slam will receive a major boost with the return of 2009 leading scorer Tyler Amaya to the team. Amaya has committed to play for Bellingham when his season with New Zealand's Otago Nuggets comes to a close. He is expected to return home in time to play in the Slam's last four games and will be eligible to participate in the playoffs.
The Slam's next home game, this Saturday against Central Oregon, tips off at 7 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion. The Slam defeated the Hotshots on Monday by a score of 103-79.
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International Basketball League Stories from June 4, 2010
- Volcanoes defeated - Vancouver Volcanoes
- Slam Eye Division Title Going Into Season's Final Month - Bellingham Slam
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