MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- The Bethel Pilots outlasted the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars after allowing MVNU to shoot 35% from beyond the arc, but impressive numbers from Drew Lutz's 34-point, four rebounds and four assist game helped lead the Pilots to a late-game victory.
After the game-tying jumper from James Anderson at 12:47 in the first half, Drew Lutz scored in four straight possessions with two free-throws, two jumpers, and a layup.
The Pilots went down six points, 42-36, by a triple from MVNU's Carter Jones, but Ike Umeh tapped the glass with a layup, followed by Preston Phillips's two free throws to get BU within two points. Lutz tied the game 42-42 with a pair of free throws to end the half.
Clay Hilliard put the Pilots up 11 points at 10:20 in the second half with a layup off the glass. The Cougars returned the game to one-possession 90-87 from Conrad Bailey's layup.
The Pilots scored four free throws to end the game and seal their 13th victory of the season and sixth in a row.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Drew Lutz joined the 1,000 career point club after his 34-point game, which puts him at 1,137 career points as a Pilot.
- Clay Hilliard dropped 10 points against his former team.
- James Anderson was near a double-double with 15 points and seven rebounds.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots take on the (RV) Marian Knights on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in Indianapolis, Ind., in Crossroads League Play, looking for their first conference win.
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.
