KIRKLAND, Wash. – The Bushnell women's basketball team outscored Northwest University 18-5 over the final eight minutes of the game and secured their spot in the top-eight of the Cascade Collegiate Conference on Sunday afternoon, knocking off the Eagles, 70-59.  
 
The win pushes the Beacons (11-16, 10-11) into sole possession of sixth-place in the CCC with a one-game lead over both Corban and Evergreen, and a three-game lead over NU in ninth with two games remaining, clinching a spot in their fifth straight Cascade Conference tournament.
 
"I am pleased with how we bounced back from last night's performance," said Head Coach Chad Meadors. "Our defense got better as the night went on. Ayden played maybe her best game of the year on both ends of the floor while Ellis and Libby helped us control the paint on both ends. Overall, I liked our physicality on defense and the way we attacked the basket."
 
The Beacons responded well on Sunday after a poor shooting night in Saturday's loss to Evergreen, hitting 43% of their shots, and buckling down in the fourth quarter to pull away. Northwest had taken a brief lead, 54-52 with eight minutes remaining on a four-point play from Kimberly Carrada San. Bushnell responded with a 14-0 run over the next six minutes, forcing the Eagles to miss 12 straight field goal attempts in the process to put the game out of reach.
 
Bushnell had four players in double figures, led by 19 from Ayden Krupke and 18 from Libby Mathis, who shot 7-for-9 from the floor and collected three blocks. Ellis Mastel added a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and Mandy Sisul scored 12. Starting point guard Liv Tjoelker contributed plenty as well, posting five points and eight rebounds, along with a game-high five assists.
 
Northwest (7-20, 6-15) was led by Carrada San who scored 18 points, matched Tjoelker with five assists and earned six steals. Ellie DeWaard added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Eagles were held to 29% shooting in the game.  
 
Bushnell returns home for their final two regular season games and will aim to clinch the No. 6 seed for the tournament. First up will be a Friday matinee against Walla Walla University, scheduled for 12:00 pm.