EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell men's basketball team picked up their first-ever win against Lewis-Clark State College on Friday afternoon, pulling away late for an 83-74 victory.
 
The Beacons (14-9, 11-6 CCC) win their fifth straight game after shooting 53% from the field, hitting seven three-pointers and holding the Warriors to 25% shooting from three-point range. It was the first win for Bushnell against LC State, who is receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, in eight tries.   
 
After battling through nine ties and 14 lead changes, Bushnell took the lead for good at 60-58 with 8:34 remaining. The would go on to lead by as many as 12 points before claiming the nine-point victory. Bushnell held a 21-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "One of the last things we spoke about in pregame today was sticking to the game plan regardless of how many tough shots LC made. Our guys executed so well overall. "
 
Senior Kaden Sand (pictured) had a huge day for the Beacons, scoring 29 points on 13-for-18 shooting. He added nine rebounds, six assists and three steals and moved into fifth-place on Bushnell's all-time scoring list. He also passed Austin Kuemper and now trails only Stevie Schlabach as the second-highest scorer of the NAIA-era for the Beacons.
 
"Today was a game where Kaden imposed his will," said Alexander. "We worked to put him in the right match-ups and he executed as well as anyone I have seen. I was extremely proud of the way he played."
 
Sand added, "It was a great team win today that ran through our defense. The defense fueled the offense and we were able to play the way we know how to play. Cory, Stevie, and Luke are such strong deep threats, that it allowed lanes to open up for me to get downhill and we stuck to the game plan which allowed us to come out on top in the end."
 
All five starters finished the game in double-figures for the Beacons with Spencer Hoffman adding 13 points and five rebounds. Schlabach and Alexis Angeles each scored eleven while Trevon Richmond added ten.
 
The Beacons only went eight deep on Friday with Kell Schwers, Cory Johnson and Luke Smith providing valuable minutes off the bench. Coach Alexander said, "I was thoroughly impressed with our bench tonight. Although Luke and Cory were closely guarded and we're getting open, it allowed us to play off that and that is where Kaden took advantage. Kell was a tremendous difference maker in the first half with his defense and the way he got us in transition.
 
The Warriors were led by Davian Brown, scoring 27 points as he went 11-for-12 at the free-throw line. Jaedon Bradley added 15 points and Alton Hamilton posted 12.
 
Bushnell will look to make it six straight wins on Saturday night as they play host to Walla Walla University (5-17, 4-13) with tip-off scheduled for 9:00 pm.