Mishawaka, Ind. --- The Bethel Pilots (8-2, 3-1 CL) came up big, dialing up the defensive intensity to go along with four pilots scoring in double-digits in their 81-59 win over the Taylor Trojans (4-5, 1-3 CL).

Defense was the name of the game in the opening stanza, as the Pilots limited Taylor to just 31% from the floor, including 0-14 from beyond the arc, leading to a 37-22 lead at the break.

Bethel's lead lingered in the 11-17 range most of the second half and swelled to as many as 23. Pilot senior Drew Lutz would score 15 points in the second half, while junior Brandon Hunt scored 11
points and fellow junior Nathan Aerts scored 10 after the intermission.

For the game, Lutz, Aerts, Tanaka and Hunt would account for 70 of the Pilots' 81 points. Lutz led the way with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Aerts added 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Tanaka was not far behind, as he scored 16, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Hunt was brilliant as well, scoring 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting, including 3 for 5 from the 3-point line and hauling in 9 caroms of his own.

Bethel outrebounded Taylor 40-28 and held Taylor to just 4 of 28 from beyond the arc. The Pilots were also proficient from the charity stripe, canning 9 of 11 (81%).
 
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Pilots outshot the Trojans 49% to 37% from the floor and 40% to 14% from the three-point range.
• Drew Lutz has scored over 20 points for the second game in a row.
• The Pilots took advantage of 12 points off turnovers.

 
NEXT TIME OUT

• The Pilots travel to Marion, Ind. to take on the NAIA 21^st ranked Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 3:00 p.m.

 
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 YouTube at /BethelSportsNetwork.