HELENA, Mont. – Playing their second game at the Comfort Suites Classic, the Bushnell men's basketball team got into the win column on Saturday, taking down the University of Providence, 87-78. The Beacons trailed by as many as 13 early in the second half before rallying for the win.
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The Beacons (1-1) shot 44.1% in the game and survived a strong 50% shooting night for the Argos (0-2). Bushnell out-rebounded Providence 38-28 with 14 points coming off of 13 offensive rebounds. The Beacons also earned a 30-12 advantage in points off the bench. Â
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The teams were tie seven times and played through nine lead changes throughout the game, with Bushnell taking the lead for good, 76-75 with just under three minutes to play.
Squeeky Johnson later iced the game with a three-pointer as the shot clock expired with just under a minute to play, and it was all free-throws from there.
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Head Coach
Eddie Alexander said, "We really locked in on the defensive end in the second half tonight, and that was the key to our victory. The guys understand we will make and decision necessary to find the guys that will work their tail off in the defensive end and tonight we found some life that I believe will be contagious. Ashton was big in the paint tonight on both ends of the floor."
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Leading the way for the second night in a row was
Ashton Harvey, scoring a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. He shot 75% from the field and was 8-for-11 at the free-throw line.
Squeeky Johnson and
Cory Johnson each added 17 points while
Roy Bunn (pictured) chipped in 11.
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Providence was led by a game-high 21 points from Antoine Boyd Jr. while Brendan Redhead added 19.
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Bushnell will close out their Montana road trip on Monday, traveling to face Montana-State Northern (1-0) at 5:00 pm. Â
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