JANUARY 6, 2007

Slam snap losing skid with 110-104 win over Beijing

AZUSA, Calif. - The Bellingham Slam used a balanced attack to end a two-game losing streak and salvage the final game of their three-game road trip, defeating the Beijing Olympian 110-104 in an American Basketball Association contest at the Felix Events Center in Azusa, Calif. on Saturday night.

The Slam, having played the previous two nights in two different cities, showed no fatigue as they jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to three straight baskets by Jacob Stevenson. But Beijing was able to regroup and take an eight point lead in midway though the second quarter, at 44-36.

Fortunately for the Slam, that would be Beijing's largest lead of the game, as they were able to take control for the final 5:30 of the second quarter to go into halftime leading 53-49, thanks to a 17-5 run to close out the half.

Bellingham (13-5) built its lead as high as 18 in the second half, before former Seattle Sonic Fred Vinson went to work and single-handedly brought Beijing back into the game. Vinson scored 20 second half points, helping Beijing claw back to within three, at 105-102, with 1:43 to play. But they would get no closer, as they were unable to score again until Vinson hit a meaningless jumper with five seconds left.

The win improved the Slam's record against Beijing this season to 3-0, but was their first road win against the Olympian in three tries since both clubs joined the ABA in 2005.

Six players scored in double figures for the Slam, with Mike Parker and Brandon Hartley leading the way with 23 points each. The Slam overcame a 56-38 rebounding deficit by committing just nine turnovers, a season low.

Vinson led the way for Beijing (6-8), netting 44 points. Jerry Dupree added a double-double, scoring 18 points and collecting 11 rebounds.