EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell's bid to play the upset card fell just short again on Saturday afternoon as the Beacons stayed with The College of Idaho for the entire afternoon, only to lose 61-55.
 
The Yotes, currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, jumped out to a quick 7-0 run in the first 70 seconds of the game which proved to be the difference as the Beacons matched them point-for-point the rest of way.
 
Bushnell held CI to just 29.6% shooting, their worst performance of the season. The Beacons hung around and hung around but looked to have been put away by the Yotes, who had stretched their lead to nine points, 54-45 with 3:20 remaining.
 
The Beacons, however, were able to put together one final burst, kicked off by layups from Maddie Gerhart and Ellis Mastel, that fueled an 8-1 run over the next two and a half minutes, bringing the home team within two points, 55-53 with 40 seconds remaining.
 
The College of Idaho, however, buckled down at the free throw line, hitting four straight to keep the Beacons at Bay.
 
 "Man, we are getting so close to taking one of these big games," said Head Coach Chad Meadors. "It was a two-possession game, which is equally exciting and frustrating, but you can see the improvement. We are doing everything we can do and we are winning in all areas except the score. It is coming down to shooting percentage and we just not making enough shots. That's the last domino to fall and when we have a game where we're shooting 40%, that's the game we'll end up winning."
 
Bushnell (6-20, 4-14 CCC) out-shot the Yotes in the game as they hit 31.3% of their baskets, and they out-rebounded CI 48-38 including a game-high nine boards from senior Kenzi Pedersen in her final home game. Offensively, it was Bushnell's other senior, Ayden Krupke, leading the way with 12 points while Mastel came off the bench to score ten points and eight rebounds.
 
The College of Idaho (19-7, 13-5) had four players in double-figures, led by 14 points apiece from Kylie Waltermeyer and Brooke Beresford. Anna Mooney and Maiya Hardy added ten points each.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons find themselves tied with Northwest University for the eighth and final playoff spot with two games remaining in the regular season. Bushnell hits the road for the final weekend of CCC action, traveling to take on Walla Walla University on Friday at 12:00 pm and Lewis-Clark State College at 4:00 pm on Saturday.
 
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
 
The Beacons will say goodbye to two seniors at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season. Kenzi Pedersen and Ayden Krupke were honored on Saturday night during a ceremony at halftime of the men's basketball game.
 
Kenzi Pedersen - Kenzie is in her first season with the Beacons, after transferring from the University of Montana Western and Columbia Basin College. Kenzie has started every game for the Beacons this season and ranks third on the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 8 points and 5 rebounds per game. She scored a season-high 27 points on January 30 against Northwest University and she currently has 992 points in her combined career at Columbia Basin, UMW and Bushnell.
 
Coach Chad Meadors said, "I am grateful Kenzi chose Bushnell University to finish her career. Kenzi is leaving our program with her teammate and coaches wishing she had one more year. Kenzi's superpower is her consistent approach to work. Kenzi doesn't just show up to put in work; she is 100% present EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Kenzi's competes in everything; it is this skill that will help her achieve her goals! 
 
Ayden Krupke - Ayden has been with the Beacons for four years. She played in 100th career game today and has started 84 during her career. She has scored 1066 points, which ranks 7th in school history. She scored a career-high 36 points in December of this year against Corban, marking the second-highest total in school history and the most in 18 years. Ayden leads the team and is 4th in the conference with 378 points this season, averaging 15.8 points per game.
 
Coach Meadors said, "Ayden is a force of nature. She is driven by her competitiveness and her want to win. What I see daily is Ayden's belief in her "TEAM",   and how she believes we will "Find a Way" down to the last dribble.  Tonight is Senior night and a culmination of four years of hard work and as we celebrate Ayden, what I see is a person who has Peace of Mind that she has given everything she has to her team."