LEWISTON, Idaho. – Lewis-Clark State College held off the visiting Bushnell University men's basketball team on Saturday evening, defeating the Beacons 93-82 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.
 
Bushnell (5-14, 3-9 CCC) trailed by 19 points in the first half but pulled themselves back in contention, making 9-of-11 shots in the final eight minutes of the frame to close the gap to 43-36.
 
The Beacons found themselves down by one, 73-72, with six minutes to go after Isaac Girley scored 12 straight points in a 14-6 run that was closed by a Dillon Young layup. The Warriors built their lead back to 10 with under two minutes to go and made every free throw attempt down to stretch to hold off the Beacons.
 
Girley finished with 23 points in just his second game with the Beacons. He went 7-for-11 from the floor and 8-for-9 at the free throw line. Stevie Schlabach recorded 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Schlabach needs just six points to hit the 1,000-point mark for his Bushnell career.
 
Logan Sand (pictured) finished with 10 points, making both of his attempts from beyond the arc. Keishon Dawkins scored nine points in his second time out. Kaden Sand added eight points, five rebounds and four assists.
 
As a team, Bushnell had a strong shooting night against one of the best defenses in the conference. The Beacons shot 54.2% from the field and tied a season-best 47.1% from three-point range. However, the Beacons, who are second in the conference at the free throw line, made a season-low 58.8%.
 
LC State (14-5, 7-4) shot 50% from the floor and 34.6% from beyond the arc and took advantage of its extra opportunities. The Warriors scored 21 points off turnovers and finished with a 14-0 margin in second-chance points. LC also made 18-of-21 free throws to prevent the Bushnell comeback.
 
Kevin Baker and Nathan Fromm finished with 19 points apiece to lead the Warriors.
 
The Beacons were without their entire coaching staff this weekend due to COVID protocols but the players were still able to make the trip and compete well with the No. 20 team in the nation. Chad Meadors, Head Coach of the Bushnell women's basketball team, stepped in to coach both squads this weekend.
 
Meadors said, "I feel bad for our men's team for not being at full strength and not getting the structure they need to play a top-20 team in the nation. We didn't start off defensively very well, but our kids battled on so many levels. I'm proud of them and honored to have worked with them for a few days."
 
Up next, Bushnell hosts Warner Pacific (Jan. 21) and Multnomah (Jan. 22).