MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- In a tough matchup with the NAIA second-ranked Marian Knights (24-1, 15-0), the Bethel Pilots Women's Basketball team (6-19-1-14) put up a great fight to bring the game within two possessions in the final minutes but fell short 76-67.

Kallie Harrison hit a career-high 16 points against the Knights, sinking four from deep and six from the field. Abby Williams scored a career-high 14 points and seven shots from the field with six rebounds.

The Pilots slipped to 20-9 at 1:39 in the first quarter with a three-point play from Sara Majorosa, but Faith Davis gave the Pilots a spark at 1:28 with a triple to chip the deficit to eight points.

At 6:00 in the second quarter, Harrison drained a deep ball to make it a seven-point deficit, 30-23. Marian answered with a layup by Ella Collier, but Maiah Shelton, who scored 18 points and 6-for-13 from the floor, hit a jumper in the next possession to keep it within seven points.

Mariah Claywell, who shot an impressive 4-for-5 (80%) from the field, hit a mid-range jumper at 7:45 to put the Pilots down by four, but it wouldn't be long until the Knights built the double-digit lead back at 4:56 with a Collier layup, 51-40.

With 1:40 left in regulation, Claywell knocked down a jumper to put the Pilots within six points but ultimately lost 76-67.

Bethel took advantage of 13 second-chance points but allowed 27 points off turnovers.

NEXT TIME OUT

Bethel travels to Winona Lake, Ind., to take on the Grace Lancers at the Manahan OCC on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 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.