UPLAND, Ind. --- With NAIA postseason implications on the line, the Bethel Men's Basketball team (19-9, 10-8) defeated the Taylor Trojans (10-18, 5-13) in Odle Arena 81-73 on Saturday.

Jameir Jefferson had a career night with a career-high 20 points with an 8-for-9 shooting and four rebounds, and Nathan Aerts dropped 20 points on a 7-for-11 shooting from the field.

The Pilots went down by six at 14:30 in the first half with a triple from Taylor's Julian Mitchell, but Jameir Jefferson hit a jumper, then a layup back-to-back, then Trent Edwards tied the game with a jumper at 10-10.

Andrew Hedrick gave the Pilots a one-point lead at 2:31 on a three-pointer, and Preston Phillips scored a layup then went to the line after getting fouled to climb to 36-31.

Jefferson gave the Pilots their first double-digit lead at 14:00 left in regulation with a layup, 54-43.

Taylor dropped the lead to four on Kaden Fuhrmann's triple, but Andrew Hedrick brought the Pilots back to an 11-point lead with 37 seconds to go and ended the regular season with a win.

NEXT TIME OUT

The Pilots drew the Marian Knights for the Crossroads League Quarterfinal on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. inside the Physical Education Center in Indianapolis, Ind. You can watch the game on the Regional Radio Sports Network, with the pregame show starting at 6:45 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.