WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Almonds Sebirokwa had a season-high 23 points, but the Walla Walla Men's Basketball team fell just short in an 88-80 loss to Bushnell in a Cascade Conference game on Saturday at Windemuth Court.

The loss dropped the Walla Walla record to 2-12 overall and 1-9 in conference play.

"It's disappointing not to come out with the victories we worked so hard to prepare for," Walla Walla coach Brandon Broome said. "But that is what is so fun about the Cascade Conference. Every single game is one that you have to be completely locked in for or it can slip away."

Sebirokwa shot 10-of-15 from the field and pulled in six rebounds. Soren Dalan had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas Mestrov and Dillon Wasser both reached double-figures in points with 14 and 12 points respectively.

The Wolves took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line with a 14-of-17 (82.4%) performance. Walla Walla shot 48.4% from the field and scored 42 points inside the paint.

"We have improved and will continue to work hard," Broome said. "Proud of the guys."

Squeaky Johnson led the Beacons with 25 points with six 3-pointers. Luke Smith and Kaleb Burnett had 16 points each and Cory Johnson added 14.

Bushnell shot 49.3% from the field and was 11-of-27 from beyond the 3-point line. The Beacons scored 18 points off turnovers and had 12 second chance points.

Bushnell improved to 7-9 overall and 3-7 in CCC action.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Walla Walla started hot out of the gate with a layup by Sebirokwa on the opening possession. Sebirokwa made a jumper, Dalan scored inside and Mestrov got on the scoreboard and the Wolves led 8-4 early.

Sebirokwa and Dalan both scored inside and Mestrov hit a 3-pointer. Bushnell scored four consecutive points before Sebirokwa went on a personal 4-0 run. Kekoa Beard hit a 3-pointer and WWU led 22-10 with 12:53 to go in the first half.

Bushnell went on a 22-9 run to take the lead with 3:07 to go in the half. Dalan made a free throw, but it was the only point scored by Walla Walla in the 5:21 before the break and the Beacons led 40-32 at halftime.

Johnson scored on the opening second half possession for Bushnell. Mestrov hit a pair of free throws, Sebirokwa made a layup and Vaughan converted both of his free throws and the Wolves cut the lead to four.

Bushnell extended the lead to 10 with a Johnson 3-pointer. Wasser sparked a run for WWU with a layup. Beard added a jumper and Wasser scored from beyond the arc to bookend the 7-0 run. Three minutes later, Vaughan hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 69-69 with 6:16 remaining.

The Beacons slowly grew their lead back. Mestrov hit a 3-pointer for the Wolves. Wasser added a jumper and Mestrov scored inside, but Bushnell led 81-76 with under two minutes to go. Dalan hit all four of his free throw attempts. The Beacons scored the final four points to take the victory.

UP NEXT

Walla Walla goes on the road to Klamath Falls, Ore. to play Oregon Tech at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17 and then to Ashland. Ore. to face Southern Oregon at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18.