EUGENE, Ore – The lead changed hands 14 times and the score was tied on nine occasions on Friday, but Bushnell University held on to defeat (RV) LC State in Eugene in Cascade Conference action.
“Bushnell came out and established a great offensive rhythm,” Head Coach Austin Johnson said. “We did not do a great job early and that bled into a very poor second half performance for us defensively. We will need to defend at a significantly higher level tomorrow if we’re going to have a chance against a very tough Corban team.”
Davian Brown scored 27 points to lead the Warriors and Sam Stockton filled up the box score with 11 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks.
The loss moves LC State to 16-7 overall and 14-3 in CCC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davian Brown scored the first Warrior basket 30 seconds into the game and Alton put LC in front 4-3 at 18:14. Brown scored once more before John Lustig converted on a pair of free throws for a slim 8-7 advantage.
Four points by Anthony Peoples Jr. had the lead at 12-9 five minutes in. Quentin Raynor and Peoples Jr. went back-to-back, but the momentum shifted to Bushnell as the Beacons pulled ahead 24-19 midway through the half.
A triple by Bradley was aided by free throws from Hamilton and a basket by Brown to pull LC within one, 31-30, with 3:50 to play in the half. Bradley threw down a dunk to give the Warriors a momentary 32-31 lead before the Beacons jumped back in front with a 3.
Peoples Jr. and Brown went back-to-back to send the Warriors into halftime with a 38-36 advantage.
Each team scored in the opening minute to keep the score within two before free throws by Brown and a layup by Hamilton pushed the difference to 44-38. Bushnell mounted its comeback shortly after a back-and-forth battle to pull ahead 64-58 with 7:01 to play.
The margin grew to 71-62 by 4:23 as free throws by Brown, Bradley and Raynor kept the Warriors in the hunt. Baskets by Brown and Hamilton at the end had LC just short of the Beacons with an 83-74 final.
Brown led the Warriors with 27 points and was 11-for-12 from the free throw line. Bradley added 15 points and Hamilton scored 12. Stockton grabbed 11 rebounds to go with three steals, two blocks and two assists.
UP NEXT
LC State takes on Corban on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Salem.
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