Box Score Mishawaka, Ind. --- The Bethel Men's Basketball squad fought against Crossroads League #6 Indiana Wesleyan University but came up short 96-83 Saturday afternoon in the Gates Gymnasium.
The Pilots came out swinging with a mean dunk from
Nathan Aerts and a three-point jumper from
Drew Lutz, which gave the Pilots a two-point lead (7-5) with 17:39 left in the first half. A couple of missed three-pointers from the Pilots gave IWU a chance to capitalize. IWU would hold the lead for the remainder of the game. The Pilots did not shy away as the rest of the first half was within attacking range, with the halftime score being 49-36.
Early in the second half, a push from the Pilots got them within eight with a
Drew Lutz layup and free throw at 13:33. IWU knocked down their shots, which kept them out of striking range from the Pilots. With 9:19 to go,
Tanguy Touze nailed a three-pointer closing the IWU lead to six. Immediately after, at 8:13,
Brandon Hunt drained a three-pointer, putting the Pilots down 74-67.
Even with three-pointers made by
Deacon Heath and Touze, Indiana Wesleyan hit most of their free throws as they made 10-11 in the last seven minutes of play.
Four Pilots found themselves in double digits for points, with
Drew Lutz and
Nathan Aerts having 19 points and four rebounds.
Brandon Hunt had 18 points, four rebounds, and one block, while
Tanguy Touze had 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Both teams had 28 points in the paint.
- IWU had 22 bench points, as Bethel only had eight.
NEXT TIME OUT
Bethel will be traveling to Mount Vernon Nazarene on Feb. 8. Tipoff will be at 6:00 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.
