Slam Let Late Lead Slip Away in 107-104 Loss to Olympia
June 20, 2010 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
LACEY, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam lost another close game as they fell to the Olympia Reign, 107-104 in a disjointed and defensive International Basketball League divisional contest at the Nisqually Community Center on Saturday evening.
The setback was the sixth game the Slam have lost by three points or fewer.
The two teams displayed furious back-and-forth action in the first half with a total of nine lead changes. Bellingham appear to break open a tie game with a 10-0 run in the middle stages of the second quarter, but Olympia closed the quarter with 12 of the next 14 points to trim the Slam's lead to 53-51 at halftime.
The third quarter proved to be a defensive battle, as just 45 total points were scored by both sides. But Olympia had the slight edge and led Bellingham by one, at 75-74.
The fourth quarter featured several runs by both teams, as Olympia extended their lead to seven with 9:30 left before Bellingham scored seven of the next nine points to tie the game at 89-89 halfway through the quarter. After a Ken Ottrix lay-in gave the Slam a one-point lead with 4:16 left, the Reign scored eight straight to take another seven-point lead, this time with 2:42 left in the game.
But once again the Slam responded, as Brandon Hartley drained eight quick points, including two three-pointers, and assisted on the go-ahead basket to give the Slam a one-point lead with 51 seconds left. But that was as close as the Slam got as they turned the ball over on a critical possession late that led to a pair of game-winning free throws by Virgil Matthews for the Reign. The Slam had a great look at a potential game-tying three-pointer with five seconds left in the game, but couldn't get it to fall.
Bellingham was led by Brandon Hartley and Paul Hafford, who scored 20 and 18 points respectively. Newcomer Ken Ottrix had a fine outing, posting 16 points and nine rebounds. The Slam struggled mightily from outside, going 3-for-23 from three-point range.
Olympia was led by the 31 points and 12 rebounds of Virgil Matthews. IBL leading scorer Nate Menefee was held to 17 points on 7-for-21 shooting.
The Slam completed the road portion of their schedule with a 5-5 record, and are 11-7 overall.
The Slam get little rest as they return home to face the Oregon Waves on Sunday, with a 5 p.m. tip-off set for Whatcom Pavilion. In honor of Father's Day, all dads in attendance with receive free admission.
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International Basketball League Stories from June 20, 2010
- Slam Let Late Lead Slip Away in 107-104 Loss to Olympia - Bellingham Slam
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