EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell men's basketball team closed out the regular season on Saturday with a 70-61 loss to Southern Oregon University.  
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "We were flat tonight defensively and struggled to string together stops on a night where we also struggled to shoot well. I believe we put too much pressure on ourselves and didn't look like who we normally are."
 
The Beacons (12-16, 10-12) shot 42% for the game but were just 4-for-21 from three-point range. The loss, combined with a win on Saturday evening for Lewis-Clark State, pushed Bushnell to sole possession of eighth-place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
 
"Our guys have learned a lot this year," added Alexander. "It has been a new group with several learning curves. This is an amazing group of young men who truly love each other as teammates and brothers. It is a special group to be around."
 
Southern Oregon (19-9, 15-7) took a 2-1 lead just one minute into the contest and led the rest of the way as they clinched a share of third-place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
 
Bushnell was led by junior Kaden Sand, scoring a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds. Stevie Schlabach added 14 points and Spencer Hoffman secured a double-double with eleven points and a game-high eleven boards.
 
Dominic McGarvey led the Raiders in scoring with 17 points while Tez Allen added 16 points and five assists.
 
A large crowd was on hand to witness the game on Saturday, thanks in part to a strong traveling contingent of SOU fans, along with a large Alumni Night presence. Coach Alexander said, "I am extremely thankful for the great support we had tonight from our alumni and regret we couldn't play better. I promise we will make them proud in how we continue to carry ourselves and strive to represent the University well. It is always a great day to be a Beacon."
 
Saturday was senior night for the Beacons as they honored their lone senior, Isaac Girley, in a pre-game ceremony. "To know Isaac is to know someone who has grit, tenacity, and desire," said Alexander. "His is an example of someone who has fought hard for his education, his personal success, and his basketball career. He is a picture of pure determination and resiliency. He has left an indelible mark on the hearts of his teammates and coaches."
 
The Beacons will now turn their attention to their first CCC tournament since 2020 as they will head to Caldwell on Tuesday to take on No. 1 ranked College of Idaho. The Yotes finished off an undefeated run through the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season and have won 27 straight games.