MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- Drew Lutz hit 2,000 career points in his collegiate career between Incarnate Word (Tex.) and Bethel University (Ind.) after a corner floater at the 18:40 mark in the second half against the Taylor Trojans Saturday afternoon.

Nathan Aerts shot 7-for-8 (87%) from the floor, a season-high, and the second-best shooting efficiency of his career, just shy of his 8-for-9 (88%) game versus William Penn on Nov. 15, 2022.

It was a tight opening 16 minutes, with neither side breaking a three-point lead with incredible plays like Clay Hilliard's four-point play at 14:50 in the first half. Trent Edwards put the Pilots up by five with a jumper at 3:42, and Hilliard followed the next possession with a layup assisted by Nathan Aerts.

Like the first half, the second half was neck-and-neck until the Pilots got some key stops and found a rhythm at 11:08 with Preston Phillips' back-to-back layups, with the second resulting in a three-point play.

The Pilots sit in third place in the Crossroads League, one game behind the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats and two games behind the Grace Lancers in the standings.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Pilots take on the NAIA #1 Grace Lancers in a top-25 matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gates Gymnasium. The game was rescheduled due to weather and is crucial in the hunt for the Crossroads League title. 

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.