Whatcom Community College men's basketball guard Kyle Impero solidified his tournament MVP selection with 24 points and nine rebounds, as WCC beat Bellevue Community College 85-72 in the Bellevue Crossover Tournament title game Sunday, Dec. 16, in Bellevue.

Alex Duncan also was an all-tournament team selection. He scored 19 points in the win.

"We have just seen improvement in every game this tournament," WCC coach Chris Scrimsher said in a phone interview. "Bellevue is a little smaller, and they presented us some problems. We eventually made them pay inside. It was a very physical game, and we responded to that physicality."

Whatcom struggled shutting down Bellevue's Marcus Tibbs, who scored a game-high 35 points, but Scrimsher said the Orcas held everyone else in check. Although Caleb Buchanan's stats weren't overly impressive, Scrimsher said he gave WCC key minutes.

"Caleb Buchanan did a great job for us off the bench," Scrimsher said. "He gave us really good minutes and impressed with his play. Alex was on the all-tournament team, and Kyle was MVP, and they played like it today."

The Orcas built a 22-point lead, but despite a Bellevue rally, they were able to hold on for the win. Zach Stalin scored 14 points and handed out a team-high three assists.

WCC 85, BELLEVUE 72

WCC: Daniel Nielsen 4, Alex Duncan 19, Kyle Impero 24, Nicholas Kussman 7, Neilan Pierce 2, Caleb Buchanan 6, Ian Tevis 2, Eric Fongue 1, Zach Stalin 14, Chris Tanis 6. Totals 28-58 24-33 85.

Bellevue: Daniel Greer 4, Marcus Tibbs 35, Jeffrey Kimmel 4, Andrew Squires 12, Reggie Clinton 11, Andrew Holloway 4,Tyler Stracener 2. Totals 24-64 20-21 72.

Half: WCC 46, Bellevue 36

3-ptg: WCC 5-16 (Duncan/Impero 2); Bellevue 4-11 (Tibbs 2). Rebounds: WCC 39 (Impero 9); Bellevue 37 (Tibbs 7). Assists: WCC 10 (Stalin 3); Bellevue 5 (Tibbs 3). Fouls: WCC 20 (Stalin), Bellevue 24. Turnovers: WCC 9, Bellevue 12.