EUGENE, Ore. – Missing three starters, including two of their leading scorers, the Bushnell University men's basketball team took down Warner Pacific, 68-51, in the Morse Center on Friday night in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "Amazing win tonight. I'm so proud of how these 'great 8' executed the game plan. Great support tonight from our fans and our bench was great. We definitely missed our guys that were out and wished they were here with us. We look forward to getting them back whenever that is."
 
Bushnell (6-14, 4-9 CCC) and Warner Pacific (9-11, 5-7) went into the break tied at 29-29. The next 10 minutes saw four more ties, resulting in a 40-40 score midway through the second frame. The Beacons outscored the Knights 28-11 the rest of the way.
 
Keishon Dawkins (pictured) led the way with a double-double for the Beacons (6-14, 4-9 CCC), who were down to just eight players available tonight due to COVID protocols. Dawkins finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in just his third ever collegiate basketball game and first home game.
 
Dawkins said, "It felt so good to be back on the court and playing with this team. It was a great team win and effort on both sides! We came together and fought as a family even without a full roster. Lots of leadership, trusting each other and execution."
 
"Keishon had a monster game tonight, and I am very proud of how hard he has worked to get eligible and be here for our team," said Alexander.
 
Luke Smith recorded 15 points, shooting 3-for-5 from three-point range. Isaac Girley tallied 13 points and seven rebounds. Jarrett Bryant finished with 11 points, while Drayton Caoile posted 10.
 
The Beacons outrebounded the Knights 51-28 and held them to 33.9% shooting on the night. The 51 points allowed is the fewest Bushnell has given up all season.  
 
WPU was led by Nigel McKay, who scored 15 points off the bench.
 
Up next, Bushnell hosts Multnomah University tomorrow at 5 p.m.