EUGENE, Ore. – First-half defense highlighted a 59-51 victory for the Bushnell women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon as the Beacons defeated the College of Idaho to come away with another weekend split in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.
 
Head Coach Chad Meadors said, "We battled and it wasn't pretty but we found a way to win. We led throughout the game, got a little tight a couple times but we also went on runs. Our defense in the first quarter tonight was outstanding. It was a really good bounce back win."
 
After allowing 33 points in the opening quarter the night before, Bushnell (9-6, 5-4 CCC) allowed just 14 points through the entirety of the first half, holding the College of Idaho (4-12, 4-6) to 22.2% from the floor at the break.
 
A 16-5 run by the Yotes to open the third brought them within one, 31-30, but the Beacons answered with the next nine points to bring the advantage back out to double-digits. The Beacons led by as many as 15 points in the fourth to come away with the CCC victory.
 
The Yotes were held to 3-of-21 from beyond the arc and made just 4-of-12 at the free throw line. Brooke Beresford led the team with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Mia Austin added eight points, while Emma Anderson secured a team-high 13 rebounds.
 
Libby Mathis secured the Bushnell record for career offensive rebounds, passing McKenzie Gambee (198) who set the record in 2005-09. Mathis recorded her fifth consecutive double-double, posting 10 points and 19 rebounds as the Beacons finished with a 44-43 edge in boards.
 
Mathis said, "We played Beacon basketball today. We had to work on our ball pressure, making sure they weren't coming off their handoffs clean and disrupting their offense."
 
Aspen Slifka led all scorers with 21 points and six rebounds. Ayden Krupke recorded 11 points, while Mathis and Mandy Sisul added 10 points apiece.
 
Up next, Bushnell hits the road to take on Oregon Tech (Jan. 19) and Southern Oregon (Jan. 20).