PORTLAND, Ore. – Behind their best defensive performance in 19 seasons, the Bushnell University men's basketball team rolled to victory on Friday in their season opener, toppling Portland Bible College on the road, 95-31.
 
The Beacons matched the 31 points allowed to Puget Sound Christian during the 2003-2004 season, and flirted with the all-time record for fewest points allowed (26, Portland Bible College circa 1970).

Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "I was really proud of the hard work we put in on defense. We still have a lot of work to do, but the season is very early and we are excited about where we are at. I fell like the new guys fit in really well and I look for the chemistry to continue to grow."
 
Bushnell (1-0) held the Arrows to just 18% shooting for the game including a 3-for-25 clip from three-point range. By contrast, the Beacons shot 61%, out-rebounded PBC 51-29, and forced 19 turnovers.
 
Leading the way for the Beacons was sophomore Luke Smith who shot 8-for-10 from the field and scored 19 points, along with seven assists. Stevie Schlabach added 17 points and Trevon Richmond scored 13. Spencer Hoffman made his long-awaited debut for the Beacons with nine points and a team-high seven rebounds. Bushnell also out-scored Portland Bible in bench points, 32-7, behind nine from Aaron Von Bruck (pictured).
 
Portland Bible (0-4) was led by the trio of Quorey Bays, Trevor Vermillion, and Jeremy Lane, scoring seven points apiece. Vermillion led all players with nine rebounds.
 
The Beacons will have a quick turn-around, heading home to Eugene on Saturday night to take on Willamette University in their Morse Center opener at 8:00 pm.