SALEM, Ore. – An 18-3 run to open the game proved to be a difference maker for Corban University on Friday evening as the Warriors held off a late Bushnell surge for an 85-69 victory.  
 
The Beacons (5-4, 1-2 CCC) were shell shocked early, primarily at the hands of Spivey Word, as the Warriors couldn't miss from three-point range to pull ahead by as many as 20 points. Word finished the first half with 20 points as he hit 4-for-4 from outside.
 
Bushnell showed plenty of fight over the final 20 minutes, erasing nearly all of their deficit and climbing to within one possession, 67-64, with six minutes remaining. Unfortunately for the visitors, they managed just five points the rest of the way as Corban held out for the win.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "We are still looking for the right combination of guys who will play defense for and with each other. Our effort is there, but our execution is not. I credit Corban for executing early but we knew they would let us back in the game if we would just execute. We spoke about that at halftime and were able to come out and do just that, but you can't spot a good team a 20-point lead in the first half."
 
Luke Smith came off the bench to lead Bushnell with 18 points while Cory Johnson contributed a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Kaleb Burnett (pictured) added 14 points of his own off the bench as the Beacon reserves outscored Corban's bench, 36-20. The Beacons also owned a significant 42-27 rebounding advantage and used 14 offensive boards to account for a 15-2 advantage on second-change scoring.
 
"Kaleb has been a bright light lately in energy on the boards and offensively in transition," said Alexander. "Luke and Cory continue to be their stead selves, but we are going to need a few more guys to step up on both ends of the floor and take some pressure off of those two."
 
Corban (5-4, 3-0) ended the game shooting 57% from the field including a 9-for-17 effort from deep. Spivey never scored in the second half to finish with a game-high 20, while Ben Krystkowiak added 14 points. His brother Luc Krystkowiak scored 12 points and led the team with six rebounds.
 
The Beacons return home next weekend and are set to take on Oregon Tech on Friday, December 20 at 7:30 pm.