CHANDLER, Ariz. – The Bushnell men's basketball team got their trek to the Grand Canyon State started in a big way on Tuesday night, taking down Benedictine University-Mesa, 93-79.
 
The Beacons (2-2) led by as many as 21 points in the second half and hit 48% from the field as they handed the Red Hawks (3-1) their first loss of the season. The Bushnell defense held Benedictine to 22% shooting from three-point range and forced 14 turnovers, leading to an 18-7 advantage in points off takeaways.
 
Senior Spencer Hoffman had his best game of the young season, scoring 26 points on 12-for-18 shooting, adding 16 rebounds. The Beacons out-rebounded the Red Hawks 47-36, creating a 19-12 edge in second-chance scoring.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "Spencer was the man tonight. He got to his moves quickly, which didn't allow the double-team to get to him in time."
 
"We played some great team defense which forced some difficult shots and helped me in cleaning up the boards," said Hoffman. "We did a great job getting paint touches and finding the open man, which made me the beneficiary of some excellent passing."
 
Sophomore Cory Johnson (pictured) followed off the bench with 17 points, hitting 4-for-6 from three-point range and coming up with shots at important moments as the Beacons built their lead. "It was great to see Cory come in with high confidence and knock down some important shots," said Alexander.
 
Johnson added, "It felt natural again tonight to shoot the ball. I feel like I am getting back into rhythm since returning from my injury."
 
Three other Beacons were in double-figures in scoring, led by 15 from Stevie Schlabach. The senior had just two points and played just two minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, but responded with a strong final 20 minutes.
 
Kaden Sand added 11 points, two blocks, and two steals and Trevon Richmond scored ten points with four assists. Alexis Angeles was up to his usual hard work, leading all players with six assists and picking up seven boards.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "We got out of rotation early with Stevie in foul trouble, but Luke Smith, Tony Frohlich-Fair, and Cory carried the load extremely well. We are blessed with eight guys who could start on any given night. We are getting deeper and I firmly believe we will be 11-12 men deep with some continued growth, giving us options in different match-ups."
 
Jamaal Wright was the top scorer for the Red Hawks with 17 points while Emad Elniel came off the bench to add 15. The Benedictine reserves out-scored the Beacon bench in the game, 30-29.
 
Coach Alexander said, "We have matured tremendously these past two weeks and we will have to continue to grow mentally with a tough game coming up."

Bushnell will return to action on Friday night with a huge test, taking on the NAIA's No. 3-ranked Arizona Christian University (4-0). The Firestorm already have two wins over Cascade Collegiate Conference schools this year.