Slam Take Third Straight IBL Championship with 143-126 Win over Vancouver
June 30, 2014 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam saved one of their most dominant performances of the season for when it counted most, defeating the Vancouver Volcanoes 143-126 in the 2014 International Basketball League Championship game at the O'Connell Sports Complex on Sunday.
The title win is the Slam's third in a row and the fourth overall for the organization.
Despite playing the championship game on the Volcanoes' home floor, the Slam raced out to a 23-9 lead seven minutes into the game, thanks to hot shooting from veteran guard Jacob Stevenson who had three buckets in the early run.
With a double-digit lead quickly established, the Slam's defense frustrated the Volcanoes throughout the first half. Bellingham built their second quarter lead as high as 27, at 64-37, before Vancouver was able to mount a counter-offensive and trim the gap down to 12 at halftime, at 69-57.
But any thoughts of a second half miracle comeback by the Volcanoes, like they were able to do in the 2013 championship game before the Slam survived, were quashed early by a 13-2 run to start the half, which put the Slam up 82-59.
Vancouver's offense did start to click later in the third quarter, but so was Bellingham's at that point, and they were unable to make much headway towards clawing back into the game. A three-pointer by Slam guard Rico Wilkins to close the third quarter made the score 112-91.
In the fourth, the two sides traded multiple scores before a trey from Vancouver guard Cory Largent trimmed the margin to 17, at 133-116, with under four minutes to play. But by then, there wasn't enough time remaining for a comeback. With the bench emptied, reserve guard Kosei Ban closed the game with a three-pointer from the corner before the Slam celebrated amidst confetti at center court.
Slam rookie forward Austin Bragg picked up the game's Most Valuable Player honors thanks to a double-double of 27 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. His 27 came from an efficient 9-for-10 showing from the floor.
Guard Morris Anderson also received serious consideration for MVP thanks to a team-high 31 points for Bellingham.
Vancouver was led by the 31 points from the league's leading scorer, guard Andre Murray.
With the victory, the Slam becomes the first team in IBL history to win three straight league titles.
International Basketball League Stories from June 30, 2014
- Terry Emmert: a True Rock Star - Portland Chinooks
- Tough Loss for the Home Team with a Positive Outlook - Vancouver Volcanoes
- Slam Take Third Straight IBL Championship with 143-126 Win over Vancouver - Bellingham Slam
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