EUGENE, Ore. – It is difficult to beat a team three times in one season, and Bushnell made it mighty difficult on Lewis-Clark State for a good portion of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, before succumbing to the No. 25-ranked Warriors, 75-49, in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament presented by U.S. Bank.
 
A contest that was much closer than the final score would indicate had Bushnell within eight points in the fourth quarter, only to see LCSC close on a 19-2 run over the final five minutes as the Beacons fuel tank ran empty.
 
"We gave it everything we had tonight," said Head Coach Chad Meadors. "We battled, we played a great first half and we played well in the third quarter. They hit some tough shots and some big three pointers that stretched the lead. We had to do some pressing and get into them, and just didn't have enough in the tank. The score got away from us but it certainly wasn't indicative of how we played."
 
The Beacons (11-18), who were the No. 6 seed in the tournament, led by as many as six points in the first half and were trailing 26-25 at the intermission after an impressive opening 20 minutes of basketball. A big difference in the second half came on the outside shot as Bushnell finished the game just 2-for-18 from three-point range while the Warriors were 10-for-19 on their familiar home floor.
 
No. 3-seed LC State (24-5), shot 45% in the game while out-scoring the Beacons 40-24 in the paint and 22-4 off the bench. The Warriors were led by Sitara Byrd who was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arch and finished with 15 points.
 
For the Beacons, Center Libby Mathis (pictured) gave her team one final double-double, leading all players with 17 points and 16 rebounds. The fifth-year senior put Bushnell on her back in the final quarter, giving everything she had with nine of the team's 11 points in the last stretch.
 
Mathis finishes a record-breaking career that included 355 offensive rebounds, 631 defensive rebounds, 986 total rebounds, 172 blocks, and 28 double-doubles, all setting Bushnell career records. This year she collected 113 offensive boards to break her own single-season record as well.
 
Also in double-figured for the Beacons was freshman Ellis Mastel with ten points while Ayden Krupke scored eight and had three steals. Senior Liv Tjoelker capped off her career with five points, and six steals while Mandy Sisul scored five and had four assists in her finale.
 
"I am so proud of our seniors," said Meadors. "Unbelievable leaders for this team and what contributions they have made to our program. They are the definition of success and I can't wait to see what they do next in their lives. They are leaving a foundation we can build on."