EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell University men’s basketball team moved above .500 for the first time this season on Friday night as they took a non-conference game from George Fox University, 84-71.
Taking full advantage of their bye weekend in the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule, Bushnell hit the road and continued their scorching hot shooting, hitting on 61% of their field-goal opportunities.
The game started out much closer than it finished as the teams traded ten first-half leads and were tied on four occasions. A three-pointer gave the Bruins their biggest lead of the half at 37-31 with under three minutes to play, but Bushnell set the tone for the remainder of the evening, scoring 11 unanswered points to close out the half, fueled by seven points from Stevie Schlabach.
GFU climbed back within one point early in the second half, 47-46 on a free-throw by Zach Sly. Bushnell, however, responded with a 16-3 run to put the game away. The visitors grew their lead to as many as 18 before taking the win.
The Beacons (6-5) were led by Schlabach and Kaden Sand (pictured) who each hit 11-for-14 for the field and combined to score 57 points. Schlabach had 30 and seven rebounds while Sand scored 27 and nine boards. Ernest Ugoagu led all players with ten rebounds, adding nine points and a team-high three assists. Bushnell out-rebounded the Bruins, 45-24.
George Fox (4-11) was led by Ryan Lacey, scoring 18 points along with five assists and three steals. JD Ahlmstrom added 13 points and hit a game-leading three three-pointers. The Bruins shot 37% in the game and 25% from three-point range.
Bushnell will return to Eugene on Saturday night for their final home game of the season, taking on Oregon Tech in a non-conference game at 6:00 pm.