MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- The Gates Gymnasium was packed and loud, with both sides well represented in Wednesday night's NAIA top-25 matchup. The Pilots (15-4, 6-3) fell after Grace's late-game run 81-74.
Preston Phillips had his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. He was a crucial player in the Pilots' dominant first half, which led to a peak lead of 17 points that Nathan Aerts tipped in on a third chance for the possession at 5:14 in the first half.
The Lancers chipped the lead down to five points with 55 seconds left until the half by Carter Stoltzfus' triple, who was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the first half.
Bethel held a double-digit lead at 16:56 with Trent Edwards dropping in a layup off Phillips' dish, but the Lancers' defense sharpened. A 12-0 Lancer run followed by two three-point plays from Jakob Gibbs at 14:48 and 13:47 aided in eventually tying the game 61-61 by Cade Gibbs's deep ball, assisted by his brother Jakob Gibbs, who found their connection in the second half.
Clay Hilliard hit a shot from downtown at 2:27 to get the Pilots within two points, but Stoltzfus' two from the charity stripe was the dagger that eventually sealed the 81-74 Lancer victory to preserve their perfect season (19-0, 9-0).
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots will host the Goshen Maple Leafs in the US Highway 20 Cup on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. in the Gates Gymnasium. The game will be featured on WHME 46 and the Bethel Sports Network in conjunction with the Regional Radio Sports Network.
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.
