MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---Bethel Athletics celebrated senior Alonas Peciulis on Saturday afternoon in the Gates Gymnasium for his contributions to the Bethel Men's Basketball Program. 

In his four years as a Bethel Pilot, Peciulis competed in the 2025 NAIA Round of 16, made two consecutive NAIA first-round appearances, and earned an NCCAA National Championship Title alongside his teammates in 2022. This season, Alonas received Crossroads League Offensive Player of the Week for scoring 22 points against St. Mary-Woods, and recently recorded his career best of 30 points scored against Spring Arbor. 

Following the senior day festivities, the Bethel Pilots (16-3, 6-3) fell 96-86 to the No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats (16-3, 6-3). The two teams stand at a tie for third place in the Crossroads League behind Taylor University (second) and the No. 1 Grace College Lancers (first). 

Carter Kent led the team in assists, with a personal season high of eight. The freshman now ranks third on the Crossroads League Leaderboard for his assist to turnover ratio (3.9). 

Colin Comer was perfect beyond the arc (3-3), totaling 18 points as the leading scorer. 

Alonas Peciulis (16) and Beau Jacquay (15) each added double digits. Jameir Jefferson led the team in total boards with nine (4-5). 

In the opening half, Alonas Peciulis was credited with both the first tie of the game (6-6) making both shots at the charity stripe (17:57), and the first lead of the game for Bethel with another foul shot (11-10, 15:32). 

The Pilots and Wildcats traded baskets until Indiana Wesleyan began to pull away with the lead in the final eight minutes of the half. The Wildcats then extended their lead to double digits with a dunk by Caedmon Bontrager (37-26, 4:25). 

Austin Cripe showcased the final layup in the paint, assisted by Alonas Peciulis (00:24), as the Pilots entered the half down by ten (47-37). 

Bethel's offense regrouped, matching Indiana Wesleyan's 49 points scored in the second half.

While the Pilots could not overcome the early offensive work by the Wildcats, Bethel totaled six steals in the closing half while outscoring Indiana Wesleyan from three. The Wildcats made three out of eight attempts from beyond the arc, while the Pilots made five out of 11 attempts. 

The Pilots will next compete against the Marian University Knights on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Physical Education Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Tip-off is set for 3 PM. 

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