Fort Wayne, Ind. --- The Bethel University Men's Basketball team started their Crossroads League schedule in style Saturday, defeating the University of Saint Francis 79-68.
The game was tight for most of the first half, with neither team leading by more than 4 points for the first 15 minutes. USF grabbed a 1-point lead 24-23 with 5:37 left in the half, but that would be the final lead the Cougars would have for the night, as The Pilots finished the half on a 12-2 streak to lead at the break 35-26.
The Pilot lead would swell as high as 16 when Jordan Okanji scored to make it 62-46 with 10:22 left in the game. The Cougars would get no closer than 8 points the rest of the way as the Pilots would hang on for the win. For the game, Bethel shot 47% from the floor (32 for 66), while the Cougars struggled to 34% (22 for 64). The Pilots also sank 75% of their foul shots, led by Drew Lutz, who was a perfect 9/9 from the charity stripe.
Nathan Aerts and Lutz led Bethel with 17 points apiece, while not far behind were Alonas Peciulis with 13 and Chikara Tanaka with 12 respectively.
Brandon Hunt added 8 points and snatched 9 rebounds in support.
With the win, the Pilots improve their overall record to 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in the Crossroads League
NEXT TIME OUT
- The Pilots will host Mount Vernon Nazarene on Nov. 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Wiekamp Athletic Center.
For the latest information on each of Bethel University's 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, visit BUPilots.com or follow the Pilots on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @BUPilots or on YouTube at /BethelSportsNetwork.
