(Lewiston, ID) Bushnell University outplayed No. 15 LC State Men’s Basketball on Friday, resulting in an 89-78 loss for the Warriors. John Lustig had a solid night with 21 points, one off his career-high, to lead the contest and Alton Hamilton added 19.
“Credit to Bushnell. They came in and really dominated the style of play,” coach Austin Johnson said. “We couldn’t keep them out of the paint in either half and really had no rallying response. Excited to see how we handle some adversity tomorrow against a high-level Corban team. We’ll need to be at our best.”
The loss has the LC State record at 12-3 overall and 7-2 in Cascade Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors started off strong with baskets by Hamilton, Taden King and Gorden Boykins to put LC State up 9-3 two minutes in. Bushnell responded quickly to cut the difference to 13-11 by 15:32, but jumpers by MaCarhy Morris, King and Lustig had the margin at 17-13 at 13:59.
LC State maintained a slim lead with tallies by Lustig and Morris before the Beacons evened the score 23-23 at 9:53. Bushnell pulled ahead 36-27 by 4:17 before baskets by Lustig, Boykins and Hamilton had the Warriors within two, 38-36, at 1:40. Peyton Nordland evened things up with a layup and was fouled, then put the Warriors in front 39-38 with his free throw. Bushnell beat the buzzer for a 40-39 advantage at the break.
LC State regained its momentum to start the second half. King and Lustig went back-to-back before free throws by Boykins kicked off a run of eight, fueled by two points from Lustig and four from Hamilton, to pull in front 51-44 by 16:14. Another five points from Hamilton made it 56-50 at 14:16, and baskets by Jayceon Smith and Boykins kept LC State in front 60-54 at 12:53.
The Beacons turned things around in the second part of the half. Bushnell went on an 11-4 run to pull ahead 66-64 at 9:58 and never relinquished the lead. Freshman Kellen Jedlicka hit a 3 to keep the score close and a layup by Lustig had LC within one, 70-69, but the Beacons took over in the final seven minutes of the 89-78 contest.
STAT RECAP
Lustig led all scorers with 21 points on a 9-for-16 night from the field. He grabbed three boards and dealt three assists. Hamilton also dished out three assists to go with his 19 points, two blocks and team-high eight rebounds. Boykins tallied 11 points and three steals and Morris added 10 points with three assists.
The Warriors shot 47.1% from the floor and made 11-of-13 free throws. Bushnell finished the night with a 54.4% mark from the field and 22-of-24 made foul shots. The Beacons grabbed 39 rebounds compared to LC State’s 25.
Cory Johnson led Bushnell with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double and Roy Bunn added 16 points. Ashton Harvey scored 13 and Luke Smith added 17 off the bench.
UP NEXT
LC State hosts Corban University on Saturday in the P1FCU Activity Center at 6 p.m.