HUNTINGTON, Ind. --- The #18 Bethel Pilots (16-5, 7-4) nearly completed a late-game comeback from being down 24 points against the (RV) Huntington Foresters (14-7, 7-4) on Wednesday night.
The Foresters took a double-digit lead at 10:40 in the first half off Lane Sparks' triple, taking a 21-11, 10-point advantage and maintaining the lead through the half. With under three minutes to go until halftime, Luke McBride dropped a deep ball to drop the deficit to eight points but would go into the half down 12-points, 42-30.
The Pilots continued to fall further behind, with the highest Forester lead peaking at 24 points at 12:33, but the comeback began a few possessions later. Drew Lutz started the roll into the Pilots' favor with four made free throws, followed by a made jumper.
Clay Hilliard, who scored a season-high 20 points, hit back-to-back triples with 9:45 left in regulation, and McBride dropped one right after to make it 70-61 Huntington. Lutz hit a mid-range jumper at 6:45, got to the charity stripe, and knocked down two free throws, making it a five-point deficit.
Jameir Jefferson came in clutch with a three-point play at 3:43, bringing the Pilots within one point, 75-74, but the Foresters answered Bethel's every possession and upset the Pilots 83-81.
The Pilots allowed 23 points off 13 turnovers but took advantage of 10 points off Huntington's turnovers.
Hilliard scored a season-high 20 points from 8-for-15 shooting from the field and knocked down four triples. Jefferson also hit a season-high 14 points, Lutz dropped 17 points, and James Anderson had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pilots and Foresters are now tied at 7-4 in Crossroads League play for third place. They are two games behind NAIA fifth-ranked Indiana Wesleyan, who is second in the conference.
?NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots will face off with #5 Indiana Wesleyan in the Gates Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. 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.
