WINONA LAKE, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (23-7, 12-6) fell 89-82 to the Grace College Lancers (27-3, 15-3) on Saturday afternoon in the Manahan OCC.

Austin Cripe led the Bethel offense with 24 points, shooting 45 percent from the field (9-20). 

Colin Comer added 18 points and five rebounds (1-4). 

Luke McBride and Andrew Hedrick each totaled 13 points, with Hedrick adding four assists. 

In the opening half, the Pilots led the board 4-0 thanks to consecutive layups by Luke McBride (18:22) and Colin Comer (17:31). 

Bethel held Grace to several ties, until the Lancers claimed the lead in the final two minutes. Ian Raasch sank a three for a 37-35 lead to set Bethel back by two. 

Colin Comer added the final jumper of the half for the Pilots (37-39, 0:45), before the Pilots ended the half down 41-37. 

In the second half, Luke McBride excelled from beyond the arc, knocking down two consecutive triples (18:38, 17:55, 43-46). 

Austin Cripe narrowed the deficit to just two points with another three (14:14, 50-52), assisted by Beau Jacquay. 

A seven-point stretch by the Lancers ultimately set Bethel behind, giving Grace the 89-82 game. 

Head Coach Steve Drabyn shared, "Our guys got off to a really good start on both ends of the floor and (I) wish we could have made some more three-pointers to separate more in the first half...But (I) give Grace a lot of credit for making things hard for us and our guys credit for continuing to fight when we got down in the second half." He continued, "I will go to battle with these guys any day and can't wait to play someone outside of the Crossroads League in the national tournament!"

On Thursday, March 5 at 7 PM EST, the NAIA will announce which team the Pilots will face in the First Round of the NAIA National Tournament.

The First and Second Rounds of the NAIA National Tournament are set for March 13th and 14th. 

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