MARION, Ind. --- The rematch between the No. 7 Bethel Pilots (17-5, 10-2) and the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats was tough. The Pilots shot a season-low 35% from the floor as a team for their second loss in the Crossroads League.
Austin Cripe shot a career-high 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field and 5-8 from beyond the arc in his best game of the season.Â
James Anderson dropped 12 points after firing 5-7 from the floor and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.
Trent Edwards led the offense with seven assists.
The game was tied 9-9 at 14:06 in the first half, with
Colin Comer dropping a triple at 12:51 to lead 12-9, followed by a layup by Anderson at 11:39 to increase the lead to 14-9.
The Wildcats tied the game again at 8:09 (19-19) and held the lead until Anderson scored in the paint at 5:43, then
Ike Umeh laid one in to tie again, 25-25.
IWU hit a 13-5 run to end the first half 38-30 and continued success in the second and hit a hot streak.
The Wildcats lept to a 54-32 lead, a 16-2 run, to start the second half and never let go. By 3:29 left in regulation, Bethel fell behind by 30 points (85-55) and would leave the Troyer Fieldhouse with a 94-60 loss to the Indiana Wesleyan.
The Pilots face the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) which is receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Poll on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. in the Hutzell Athletic Center. Bethel is tied for first in the Crossroads League Standings with the Grace Lancers (10-2) and maintains a two-game advantage over Saint Francis (Ind.) who stands at 8-4 in conference play.
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