WINONA LAKE, Ind. --- Al Peciulis scored a career-high 21 points against the NAIA top-ranked Grace Lancers (25-1, 14-1) and downed the #22 Bethel Pilots (18-8, 9-7) 72-62 in a packed Manahan OCC on Saturday afternoon.

Drew Lutz and Al Peciulis tag teamed the opening minutes with a Peciulis tying the game in two straight possessions at 15:39 with a triple and 15:02, 8-8, with another from downtown.

After the media timeout at 9:51, Nathan Aerts joined the party with a mid-range jumper at 8:55 to drop the deficit to two points, 16-14, but the Lancers began to pull away with their sights on halftime and grew their lead to 13 with Brycen Graber's deep ball and went into halftime 36-26.

Peciulis brought the game within four points at 7:01 in the second half with a three-pointer to make it 54-50 Lancers, but Elijah Malone answered back with a three-point play and grew the lead back to 57-50.

Preston Phillips interrupted a 7-0 run with two free throws, but the Lancers pumped the lead up to 13 at 3:29 to go in regulation and rode to a 72-62 victory.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Pilots celebrate their seniors in the last home game of the regular season as they host Spring Arbor for senior night in the Gates Gymnasium at 7:30 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.