Slam return to winning ways, 127-108 over Vancouver
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Bellingham Slam overcame a shaky start to earn their second win of the season, 127-108, over the Vancouver Volcanoes in an International Basketball League division game at Whatcom Pavilion on Friday.
After trading baskets with Vancouver in the game’s opening stages, Bellingham went on a 14-3 run to lead 24-14 with 4:43 to play in the quarter. The Volcanoes were able to respond, however, and trailed by just three, at 30-27, at the quarter break.
The two teams again played even for the first half of the second quarter, with Vancouver briefly taking a two point lead, at 42-40, with 7:18 left. But it was all Bellingham after that, as they built a 14-point lead going into halftime, at 65-51.
The Volcanoes were able to hang around for much of the second half, trimming the deficit to single digits on several occasions. The Slam led by nine, at 105-96, with 5:29 left in the game, before they pulled away to put the game out of reach.
Jacob Stevenson had one of his finest outings in his five-year Slam career, scoring 36 points to go along with ten assists, and even threw down a rare dunk. Five other Slam players scored in double figures, with Ike Ohanson posting a double-double of 16 points and ten rebounds.
Alex Hartman led the way for Vancouver with 28 points. Alex Tiefenthaler also had a fine outing, scoring 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting.