GOSHEN, Ind. --- The Pilots hit the boards well with 40 rebounds in the win over Goshen College (Ind.) in the US Highway 20 Cup and Crossroads League opener on Saturday afternoon.
Preston Phillips had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Drew Lutz scored 26 points, 14 from the field and 12 from deep.
Goshen threatened early and took a 13-9 lead at 15:38 in the first half and hit a six-point lead at 19-13 and 21-15, but Trent Edwards drained a bucket at 8:16 to put the Pilots up 22-21.
James Anderson laid one in at 4:48, then Drew Lutz hit a three to give the Pilots a seven-point lead at 4:13.
The Maple Leafs fought back the next possession with a bucket, but Lutz splashed another deep ball to take an eight-point lead by 3:36 in the first half, and Bethel went into halftime 43-37.
Phillips hit a two-pointer at 17:37 to give BU their first double-digit lead of the game and peaked their lead at 22 thanks to Trent Edwards, who sank two free-throws.
The Pilots would win 83-68 and grow to a 6-1 record and 1-0 in Crossroads League play.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Preston Phillips set a season-high 10 rebounds against the Maple Leafs.
- Every starter scored double-digit points.
- The Pilots shot 52% from the field despite only four made three-pointers.
- Bethel took advantage of 15 points off turnovers.
NEXT TIME OUT
Bethel returns home to the Gates Gymnasium on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. with the pregame show on the Bethel Sports Network with Paul Condry and Mark Gardner starting at 7:15 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.
