Bushnell University

MESA, Ariz. – A fourth quarter comeback came up short for the Bushnell women's basketball team on Wednesday as the Beacons dropped their season opener to Benedictine-Mesa University, 76-71.
 
Trailing by as many as 18 points early in the second half, the Beacons (0-1) tightened up defensively and found an offensive groove in the fourth, climbing all the way back to within 73-69 in the final minute before falling to the Redhawks (1-0).

"We ran out of time tonight," said Head Coach Chad Meadors. "Defensively, we played a really good second half, holding them to 29 points to give us a chance. First half we gave them too many open looks from three and they hit a lot of them. Benedictine rushed us and put a lot of pressure on and we weren't ready for that tonight. For us, we slowed down and got into a flow."
 
The Beacons shot 41% in the game but were 18-for-36 in the second half as they mounted their return. Bushnell had four players score in double-figures, led by 15 points apiece from Ellis Mastel and Clara Persons (pictured). Jersey McGehee added 12 points on 3-for-6 three-point shooting, adding five assists and matching Mastel with a team-high eight rebounds. Sabrina Flowers came off the bench to chip in 13 points and six boards.

Meadors said, "Our posts ran the floor really well tonight and we got some easy early looks. There are things we have been trying to do and we were able to do them. Moving forward, we need to find a way to come out and match that intensity from the start."
 
Benedictine was led by Olivia Arvallo, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds and seven assists while Alannah Northern scored 17 points and six assists, earning a game-high nine boards. BenU shot just 34% in the game and were out-rebounded by the Beacons 49-47, but scored 20 points off 17 Bushnell turnovers to claim the win.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons close out their Arizona trek on Thursday when they head to Gilbert to take on Park University at 5:30 pm.