EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell women's basketball team cut a 20-point third-quarter deficit down to single-digits in the fourth, but the clock ran out on the comeback attempt as Bushnell dropped their final home game of the calendar year, 66-55 to NCAA Division III Whitman University.
 
The Blues (3-2) led by 16-points at halftime and with just under seven minutes to play in the third had built up a 44-24 advantage and still led by 19 with just 6:40 remaining in the contest.
 
Bushnell (1-6) began to find some success with their patented pressure defense and shots started to fall, as the home team embarked on an 11-0 run to climb within 57-50 on a Sabrina Flowers jumper with 3:25 to go.
 
Whitman, however, buckled down to hit a few critical layups and went 5-for-6 at the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the victory.  
 
Aiden Krupke led the Beacons in scoring on Tuesday, posting 16 points along with six rebounds and four assists. Ciena Tumoine added seven points, six assists, and three steals while Flowers also finished with seven points.
 
The Beacons, who shot 33% in the contest, finished the game out-rebounding the Blues 38-37 and had 11 offensive rebounds in the second half. Dayvis Key was the main catalyst, collecting a game-high nine boards, including five on the offensive glass, while adding six points.
 
Whitman was led by Holly Morgan, scoring 20 points as she went 3-for-3 from three-point range, adding team-highs with seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons will be back in action next Tuesday, December 2 as they are set to kick off Cascade Collegiate Conference action on the road, traveling to Salem to take on Corban University at 5:30 pm. The Warriors are undefeated at 7-0 and currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll.