ROCKLIN, Calif. – Stevie Schlabach scored 24 points in the season opener for the Bushnell University men's basketball team as the Beacons fell 74-61 to host William Jessup University on Friday night at the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic.
 
The Beacons trailed by just six points after a three from Schlabach (pictured) with just under five minutes to go but the Warriors answered with a 10-0 run to go up 72-56 and maintain the double-digit advantage for the remainder of the game.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "We shot the ball poorly tonight and did not execute offensively, but these are things we can control. I'm encouraged because of how our guys responded in our postgame after a tough loss. They know they are capable of so much more."
 
Bushnell (0-1) shot 33.3% from the floor and 18.2% from beyond the arc on the game. Schlabach, who reached double-digits in both halves, finished 8-of-14 from the floor on the night. He added seven rebounds. Kaden Sand finished with 11 points, making 7-of-8 from the free throw line, while Luke Smith totaled nine points and five rebounds in his collegiate debut.  
 
Nico Wolff secured a career-high 12 rebounds along with two blocks to lead the Beacons defensively.
 
William Jessup (2-0) shot 40.6% from the field and led by as many as 16 points early in the second half. The Warriors were led by Myles Corey who finished with 22 points on the night. Jayden DeJoseph added 17 points as four Warriors reached double-digit scoring.
 
Bushnell continues play at the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic with a game against Menlo College at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Oaks are coming off a 67-46 victory over No. 13 Oregon Tech.
 
"We didn't play to our strengths well enough, but again, these are things we can fix," said Alexander. "We get another chance to get better tomorrow against a very disciplined, underrated, and well-coached Menlo team."