Slam Head North for Weekend Series in Edmonton
Published on May 20, 2011 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash.-The Bellingham Slam are hitting the road and crossing the border as they face the Edmonton Energy in a three-game series this weekend in Edmonton, Alberta. The series begins on Friday at 7:30 p.m.at the Universityof Alberta's Van Vliet Centre.
The teams face each other again on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.before wrapping up the series at 2 p.m.on Sunday afternoon.
Bellingham, with a 6-2 record on the 2011 season, holds a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series with the Edmontonfranchise. Noted as one of the IBL's toughest places to play, Edmontonhas lost just seven times at home since the franchise was formed in 2008, but four of those setbacks have come against the Slam.
Last season, the Slam went 1-2 in their three-game series in Edmonton, dropping the two games by a combined five points. The Energy have not made a trip to Bellinghamsince the 2009 season.
Edmontoncomes into this weekend's action with a 1-2 record after opening their season with a three-game road trip to New York, where they took on the defending IBL champion Albany Legends.
The Slam head into Friday's game after routing the Oregon Waves, 151-112, at home on May 13. In that game, guard Ryan Diggs enjoyed his best game of the year, leading Bellinghamwith 30 points, while rookie Blake Poole posted his fourth double-double of the season.
After ending the 2010 season on a scoring tear, guard Derrick Webb has heated up again, posting a then-career high 22 points in the Slam's 115-100 win over Olympia on May 7. He quickly outdid himself by scoring 25 points the next weekend against Oregon. On the season, veteran guard Jacob Stevenson is the Slam's leading scorer, averaging 20 points per game. In the post, Pooleis enjoying a fine rookie campaign, averaging 11.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Following this weekend's series in Canada, the Slam play one more road game in Portlandnext Thursday before finally returning home for a game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on May 27. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.at Whatcom Pavilion.
International Basketball League Stories from May 20, 2011
- Slam fall to Energy, 129-107 - Bellingham Slam
- Albany Rides Gallup & Morris to Blow Out All-Stars - Albany Legends
- Slam Head North for Weekend Series in Edmonton - Bellingham Slam
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