Box Score Indianapolis, Ind. --- The Bethel Men's Basketball squad (17-12, 9-9) dropped the Crossroads League Quarterfinals to RV Marian University 81-70 Wednesday night.
Bethel started slow with a turnover from Nathan Aerts but was quickly made back up with a three pointer, a layup, and a free throw to make it 7-6 ballgame with Marian in the lead.
A Deacon Heath three pointer gave the Pilots a 9-7 lead and with 5:29 to go in the first half, the Pilots had a 12-point lead off two freethrows from Tanguy Touze which made the score 39-27. Marian made a couple extra shots to close the half with Bethel still leading 49-36.
Drew Lutz opened the second half with a couple jump shots of his own which maintained the Pilot lead to five (50-45) with 14 minutes to play.
A three from Marian at 11:14 was the turning point of the game as the Pilots lost their lead as they went down 56-53. The Pilots kept it close as Aerts and Lutz continued their respected dominate games until they were just out of reach from a jump shot by Brody Whitaker at 3:12 put the Knights up by seven.
With one minute to go, Marian hit four free throws in a row which increased the Knight's lead to 12 (76-64). A last second push from Drew Lutz had the Pilots last six points from a three pointer, layup, and free throw which then ended the game 81-70.
Nathan Aerts led the charge with 28 points, five rebounds, and four assists on the night.
Close behind Aerts was Drew Lutz with 21 points on the night while he added on four rebounds and four assists.
Tanguy Touze grabbed nine points led the team in rebounds with eight.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Marian outrebounded Bethel 48-32, including nine offensive rebounds then the Pilots.
- Tanguy Touze recorded two steals.
- MU had 40 points in the paint while BU only had 20.
NEXT TIME OUT
With a 25th ranked strenght of schedule in the NAIA, the Pilots will wait to see if they get a bid for the NAIA tournament. Bethel is ranked fifth in the NCCAA and will await their matchup in the NCCAA regional.
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.
