ABERDEEN, S.D. -- The (RV) Bellevue University men's basketball team saw (RV) Presentation College out-score them 34-16 over the game's final 13:11 as they dropped a 64-57 decision to the Saints in a match-up of North Star Athletic Association co-leaders on Saturday evening at the Strode Center.
Records:
(RV) Bellevue: 16-13 (10-3 NSAA)
(RV) Presentation: 19-8 (11-2 NSAA)
Recap: Presentation 64, Bellevue 57
Bellevue led by as many as 13 points in the second half but an 18-2 run by Presentation over the ensuing 5:57 gave the Saints a 48-43 lead with 7:34 to play and PC did not trail again.
The first half stayed close from the opening tip with neither team able to grab a multiple possession lead until the 4:57 mark when Bellevue went up 18-13.
Sequan Walker, who scored 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first half, hit a three at the buzzer to give the Bruins a 29-22 lead into the locker room.
Bellevue expanded their lead early in the second half, out-scoring Presentation 12-6 to grab a 41-28 lead.
Justin Bessard turned in another solid offensive game with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go with a team-leading five rebounds.
Michael Deas turned in a team-best 20 points for the Saints and Quadre Lollis added 18 along with a game-best seven boards.
Bellevue out-shot Presentation 48.0-39.3 percent for the evening but were undone by 14 turnovers which the Saints converted into a 13-9 advantage in points off turnovers. PC also held a significant edge in offensive rebounding, 12-2, that they converted into a 12-0 edge in second chance points.
PC has now won four straight and nine of 10 overall as they clinch at least a share of their first NSAA regular-season title in any sport.
Up Next:
Bellevue hosts Dakota State (9-20 | 4-9 NSAA) on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. inside the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. Bellevue will honor their three seniors prior to the game.