MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---Bethel Athletics celebrated seniors Mariah Claywell, Faith Fleetwood, Hannah Ruddle, and Jazmyn Smith on Saturday afternoon in the Gates Gymnasium for their contributions to the Bethel Women's Basketball Program on Senior Day.  

The Bethel Pilots (13-6, 4-5) fell 67-60 to the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats (10-9, 4-5) after Bethel outscored IWU by ten points in an impressive second half.  

Jazmyn Smith led the Pilot charge with 14 points scored, two steals, and six rebounds (1-5). The senior now ranks second in the Crossroads League for total rebounds per game (9.3). 

Olivia Nickerson showcased a new season high for steals with three, and holds the fifth place spot on the Crossroads League Leaderboard for overall 3-PT Percentage (39.9%). 

Mariah Claywell totaled seven boards for the Pilots (1-6), adding eight points and four assists. 

In the opening quarter, the Wildcats came out with an aggressive 6-0 start. Isabel Scales interrupted the run with a triple (7:41, 6-3), assisted by Mariah Claywell. 

An aggressive Wildcat defense, complete with five steals in just the first quarter, set Bethel back by fifteen at the conclusion of the first (24-9). 

A well-balanced Bethel offense came to light in the second, with seven Pilots adding points to the board. Bethel would enter halftime down 41-24, despite holding close with IWU offensively in the second. 

Jazmyn Smith brought the energy in the second, kicking off the third with a layup (8:26, 41-26), assisted by Olivia Nickerson. 

A seven-point run for the Pilots, ending with consecutive layups by Mariah Claywell and Jazmyn Smith, brought the scoring deficit back to single digits (eight) as Bethel ended the third down 53-45. 

In the final ten minutes, the Pilots (42.9%) outshot the Wildcats (26.7%) from the field, with Isabel Scales and Izzy Nooe leading the Bethel offense. 

A series of free throws by Olivia Nickerson brought the match to a close 64-58 game. Isabel Scales recorded the last basket for the Pilots with ten seconds left on the clock. 

Despite a great second half, Indiana Wesleyan would secure the game 67-60. Head Coach Scott Polsgrove shared, "After a very poor start, great effort by my team to get back in the game. Unfortunately we just missed too many opportunities to beat a team like Indiana Wesleyan." 

Bethel (sixth place) remains above the Wildcats (seventh place) in the Crossroads League standings.

The Pilots will next compete against the NAIA Ranked No. 4 Marian University Knights on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Physical Education Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Tip-off is set for 1 PM. 

For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or #TheRightWayToPlay.