Bellingham Slam takes IBL three-peat

Bellingham SlamThe Bellingham Slam dominated the 2014 International Basketball League Championship game to win a high scoring contest against the Vancouver Volcanoes 143-126. The Slam claimed their third consecutive (fourth overall) IBL title at Vancouver’s O’Connell Sports Complex on Sunday. The Slam became the first franchise in IBL history to record a three-peat. The organization controlled from early in the contest and set about the Volcanoes at their home court from the opening tip off.

Jacob Stevenson set the tone for the visitors early in the contest as the 33-year old guard punished a lacklustre Vancouver defence with three baskets in the opening exchanges. With the hot scoring of Stevenson the Bellingham Slam took an early 23-9 lead and continued to push through the first half and led my nearly thirty points at one stage in the second frame. The Volcanoes managed to claw back the deficit and made it a 12 point game at halftime (69-57), but the Slam was still in control.

The away team swamped the hosts again at the start of the third quarter and used a timely 13-2 run to move ahead 82-59. The strong perimeter defence of Bellingham finally started to show cracks nearing the end of the fourth quarter as the Volcanoes showed slim signs of recovery. By the end of 30 minutes the score 112-91 in favour of the Slam. However, any good work being done by the hosts was quickly undone by an impressive Bellingham Slam team that was in a game long groove.

Morris Anderson was the star of the show for the Slam as he collected 31 points and shot 9-for-14 from the field, and 4-for-7 shooting from downtown. Austin Bragg was named the MVP of the championship game as he picked up enough buckets to score 27 points, while he made it a double-double game with 12 rebounds.

Andre Murray continued the scoring exploits that made him the top scorer in the IBL this season. The Vancouver Volcanoes guard sunk 31 points during the game.

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