MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- It was a night of celebration for the Pilots with a pregame ring ceremony celebrating the Pilots 2022-23 NCCAA National Championship, but there was more reason to celebrate after the Bethel Pilots (1-0) defeated the Calumet College Crimson Wave (0-1) by a score of 101-77.

In the opening minutes, the Pilots struggled to find their groove, falling behind 9-6, but a jumper from Drew Lutz gave the Pilots their first lead of the game, 11-9.

The battle continued with the Crimson Wave taking the lead back 22-20, but an Ike Umeh layup followed by two free-throws by Lutz put the Piltos up 24-22, then ran away with the half 53-37.

Preston Phillips gave the Pilots a 21-point lead with a layup at 11:33 left in regulation, and Phillips completed an and-one at 3:44 to give the Pilots their biggest lead of the game of 27 points.

Lutz ended the game with 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists while going 9-for-10 from the line.

Bethel scored 27 points off turnovers and 19 second-chance points against the Crimson Wave, who allowed the Pilots to have 15 offensive boards and 29 defensive rebounds compared to Calumet's eight offensive and 27 defensive rebounds.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Pilots travel to Klamath Falls, Ore., to take on Oregon Tech for the second annual Cascade-Crossroads Classic, where Bethel won 87-85 in Winona Lake, Ind. This will be the third meeting between the two teams, with the first being in 1998 in an 89-97 victory and last year being the last meeting where the Pilots won 87-85.

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