EUGENE, Ore. – A 26-point lead dwindled to single-digits in the second half, but the Bushnell men's basketball team was able to hold on for the victory, knocking off upset-minded Northwest University in Cascade Collegiate Conference action Saturday, 76-64.    
 
The Beacons (7-6, 4-2 CCC) shot 47% in the game, held the Eagles to 36% shooting, and out-rebounded NU 48-30 as they buckled down when it counted to put the game away.
 
The first half was all Bushnell as they built a 46-23 lead behind a defensive effort that allowed Northwest to hit just 2 of 14 three-point attempts and were never able to get into a rhythm.
 
That lead grew to 26 points early in the second half, but the Eagles refused to go away. Methodically chipping away, the visitors went on a 28-11 run over a ten-minute stretch, eventually clawing their way back to within seven points, 60-53, on a Christian Watkins three-pointer with 8:18 remaining.
 
As they have done all weekend and all season, senior Cory Johnson and redshirt sophomore Kaleb Burnett put the team on their back, scoring eight of the next ten points, building the lead back to double-digits where it remained for the end of the contest.

Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, "I was very happy with the way we played the first half. It was a dominant half, but always a tough task to maintain that level of intensity for 40 minutes. It is hard to create your own energy in the gym when the gym isn't full with students home and most still on break. We look forward to getting our fans to show up next weekend!"
 
For the second night in a row, Johnson and Burnett finished with complementary 20-point double-doubles. Johnson ended with a game-high 24 points and ten rebounds while Burnett contributed 21 points and 16 rebounds, including six of Bushnell's 15 offensive boards.

"Cory and Kaleb had another stellar game on the boards and offensively," said Alexander, "but we struggled to take care of the ball tonight. It was our worst game in terms of turnovers. I give Northwest a lot of credit with their press and intensity in the second half. We did not stay composed at times and allowed them to go on too many runs."
 
The Eagles (3-11, 0-6 CCC) were led off the bench by Watkins, finishing with 12 points. Devin Wade-Henderson added 11 points and six boards in a reserve role as the NU bench outscored their Bushnell counterparts, 33-14.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons will remain at home next weekend and have a big game scheduled for Friday at 2:00 pm as they will take on Lewis-Clark State (10-4, 4-2)