GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Bushnell men's basketball team hung around for quite a while on Friday night, and erased most of a 17-point second-half deficit before succumbing to the No. 3 ranked team in the NAIA, 83-68.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "We played a great game tonight, outside of about six possessions where we did not stick to our game plan defensively. We had it to a one-possession game at a key time and could not get over the hump."
 
The Beacons (2-3) had fallen behind 56-39 with 15 minutes remaining in the second half, but used a 16-1 run to claw their way back to within two points. Unfortunately, the Firebirds would go on to impose their will, using a 19-4 run of their own down the home stretch to remain undefeated.
 
"Going into the third-ranked team's house and competing the way we did showed what we are capable of," said Alexander, "but there are no moral victories for me. I wasn't happy with the way our starters started the second half or how they did not keep the energy up when they came back in. We spoke about that after the game and everyone owned it."
 
Leading the way once again for the Beacons was Spencer Hoffman with another double-double, scoring game-highs with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Kaden Sand followed with 13 points while Luke Smith (11 points, pictured) and Cory Johnson (9) each hit a trio of three-pointers off the bench.
 
Alexander said, "Tony [Frohlich-Fair], Luke and Cory came off the bench and lifted the team tonight. Kell [Schwers] played key minutes and we showed some of our depth tonight."
 
Dennis Flowers led the Firebirds with 19 points, followed by Paul Hayden with 18.
 
The Beacons close out their Arizona trip on Saturday, traveling to Prescott to take on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1-3).