KIRKLAND, Wash. – Junior Stevie Schlabach broke the Bushnell NAIA-era career scoring record on Saturday as the Beacons ended the year with a 95-89 victory over Northwest University in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.
 
After a back-and-fourth first half, Bushnell emerged with a 46-35 lead at the intermission. They rolled out to a 27-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining, before the Eagles attempted to make a game of it. NU out-scored the visitors 37-16 over the final stretch but ran out of interstate as Bushnell sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 13 of their final 14 attempts in the closing minutes.
 
The Beacons (5-8, 3-4 CCC) shot 56% in the game and had three players score at least 21 points. Schlabach and Trevon Richmond each had 22 while Spencer Hoffman recorded 21, with game-highs of 12 rebounds and five assists. The trio combined to shoot 16-for-18 at the charity stripe.
 
"Tonight we needed our two main dudes and they both got it done," said Alexander. "I am super proud of the way we shot free throws at the end of the game when the whistles were not going our direction. We kept our composure and played with poise tonight. We have really matured this week and we look forward to getting back to work on Monday."
 
Northwest (6-7, 3-4) shot close to 50% in the contest and were 13-for-27 from three-point range, hitting nine during their second-half run. Drew Bryson and Coa Chatman each scored 16 points to lead the way for the Eagles.
 
Midway through the first half, Schlabach scored his 1309th career point, lifting him over Austin Kuemper for a new NAIA-era all-time record. With 22 points in the game, he has now scored 1324 points in his career which also moved him past Joe Willis into fourth on Bushnell's all-time scoring list.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "Stevie was a part of my first full year recruiting class. We knew this was a kid we had to have coming out of Tigard. We knew he would be special. His impact on our program will be felt for years to come. He has grown up here at Bushnell and I feel like my wife Wendy and I and our staff have a front row seat to watching him become a man.
 
"He takes his academics seriously, he has put in work like an All-American in the off-season, and he has become a vocal leader in practices this year. He is a special player and a special young man. I cherish our relationship and I could not be more proud of what he has accomplished with humility and grace."
 
 
Bushnell, who has won three of their last four games to move into a four-way tie for sixth place in the CCC, will be back in action next Friday, January 6 when they travel to Ashland to take on Southern Oregon University (8-5, 4-3) at 7:30 pm.