EUGENE, Ore. – Simpson University knocked off Bushnell University for the first time in 14 years on Saturday, winning the championship game of the Dave Lipp Classic in overtime, 81-79.
 
The Beacons did everything they could to give themselves a chance to win, but trailing by one point in the final moments of the game, shot selection became important and the team missed on a pair of three-point heaves.
 
Simpson had led by 12 points with under ten minutes to play in the second half, but the Beacons methodically worked their way back into the contest. Trailing by two with 0.4 seconds to play, Squeeky Johnson executed a perfect in-bound pass to Christian Pitcher, who tipped in a game-tying shot at the rim to end regulation.
 
Simpson (4-4) is now just 3-17 all-time against Bushnell, but broke a ten-game losing streak that dated back to the 2010 season. The Redhawks got it done behind a strong shooting night in which they hit 54% of their baskets and dropped eight three-pointers.
 
For the Beacons (4-2) the only place they didn't hold an advantage was in the final score. A 36-35 rebounding advantage included 14 offensive boards and a 16-10 margin in second-chance scoring. Bushnell also led 22-9 in points off turnovers, forcing 21 Simpson turnovers, and held a 42-28 lead in the paint, and a 50-26 advantage off the bench. The Beacons shot 40% from the field in the contest and were 4-for-19 from three-point range.
 
Kaleb Burnett and Pitcher (pictured) each scored 14 points and six rebounds off the bench to lead the Beacons. Cory Johnson was the only other player in double-figures, scoring 11.
 
Simpson was led by Dre Ubas who scored 18 points and added five steals. Jace Mills added 13 and eight rebounds while Kellen Torrey scored 11 off the bench. Derek Gorden shot just 1-for-9 from the field and was 0-for-6 from beyond the arch, but led the team with nine rebounds and three assists.
 
The Beacons will take the next two weeks off to prepare for the start of the Cascade Conference season, which opens at home on December 6 against Multnomah University at 7:30 pm.