Box Score MOUNT VERNON, Ohio ---The Bethel Pilots (21-5, 11-5) fell to the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars (15-11, 7-9) 91-83 in Ariel Arena on Saturday afternoon. The game was a part of the Crossroads League's Jesus Won Day.
 
Austin Cripe led the Pilots with 26 points scored, shooting 9-12 from the field and 4-6 from three. Cripe also led the team in assists with six. 

Alonas Peciulis and Luke McBride each totaled eight rebounds with Peciulis posting 16 points and McBride recording 13. 

Colin Comer tallied 10 points and one block for the Bethel defense. 
 
In the opening half, both teams were challenged in the tug-of-war for points, with Bethel leading from three (44.4%) while Mount Vernon led from the overall field (41.9%) 

Austin Cripe and Colin Comer splashed back to back triples for an early 6-0 lead. The Pilots held the lead until Reed Platfoot answered with a shot beyond the arc (9:51, 18-16). 

Alex Ellenson nailed a layup (1:21, 35-34) before Peciulis and Cripe sank shots at the charity stripe to put Bethel ahead by two at the half (38-36). 

In the second half, the Cougars responded with a sizable 13 point stretch to set Bethel back by nine (10:22, 66-57). 

The Pilots' balanced offense banded together to fight back, with Andrew Hedrick narrowing the margin to just one with a layup, assisted by Colin Comer (4:04, 77-76). 

Ultimately, Mount Vernon's second half run secured the Cougars the game, and Bethel would conclude the matchup 91-83.

Head Coach Steve Drabyn wrote, "This game came down to us not having enough post physicality, which made our margin for error very small. When that happens, you can't shoot free throws poorly and have two significant droughts offensively like we did." He continued, "(I) give Mount Vernon a lot of credit for taking advantage of our deficiencies and making plays. We look forward to a big week against two top three teams in the country."
 
On Wednesday, the Pilots will host the No. 2 Grace College Lancers for Bethel's Jesus Won Day. Tip-off is set for 7 PM. 
 
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