Richmond, Ind. --- Playing in their final game of the 2022 calendar year, the cold shooting Bethel Pilots (11-4) fell to the Indiana University – East Red Wolves (9-7) 86-70. The Pilots made just 42% of their shots from the floor in the first half (14-33) and finished the game 27-60 (45%). Bethel was particularly frigid from three-point land, knocking down only 29% (7-24).
Bethel trailed by the score of 51-33 at the half, saw the deficit swell to 24 early in the half before rallying late to narrow the margin to nine points on two occasions, the last being at the 3:35 mark.
While the Pilots were frigid from the floor, the Red Wolves were sizzling, shooting 64% for the game, including a very efficient 10-19 from beyond the arc. The home team also outrebounded their guests 31-23.
Chikara Tanaka led the way for Bethel, scoring 23 points, including 4-5 from the three-point line, while
Drew Lutz added 14 points and
Brandon Hunt 10, respectively.
Despite the loss, the night came with some new accolades for junior
Nathan Aerts. Aerts finished the game with 19 points and 4 rebounds, passing Michael Edison ('99) to make himself the 45
th all-time leading scorer and Steve Brown ('79) as the 32
nd all-time rebounder in program history. Aerts now has 1268 career points and 599 rebounds.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Bethel outscored IU East 20-14 in points off turnovers.
- The Pilots bench outscored the Red Wolves 25-13.
- In the matchup's history the Pilots are now 1-4 against IU-East since Dec. 11, 2010.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots will continue the season in the new year as they travel to the McDonald Athletic Center in Spring Arbor, Mich. on Jan. 4 after taking a four-game hiatus from Crossroads League play. You can check out the action on rrsn.com/watch.
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.
