Box Score MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (15-8, 6-7) fell to the No. 6 University of Saint Francis Cougars (21-2, 11-2) 65-64 in overtime in the Gates Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
The Pilots hold their sixth place standing in the Crossroads League, tied with the Trojans (6-7), while ranking ahead of seventh place Grace and Mount Vernon Nazarene (tied at 2-10).
Isabel Scales served as the leading scorer for the Pilots, tallying 16 points, eight boards (2-6) and one block.
Isabella Nooe added 12 points, and three assists.
Jazmyn Smith led the team in both rebounds (nine) and blocks (two) while contributing 11 points.
Mariah Claywell led the team in both assists (five) and steals (three).
The Pilots showcased a 4-0 lead in the early minutes of the first. The Cougars battled back in the final four minutes, with Allison Scheu knocking down a layup (3:15, 9-8) to give Saint Francis their first lead of the game.
Joslyn Marshall retaliated with the first triple of the game to tie it up at eleven (1:54), assisted by Izzy Nooe.
Cali Gregory followed suit from downtown to give the Cougars a 14-11 advantage heading into the second quarter.
Bethel outscored Saint Francis by two points in the second (15 to 13), with both teams knocking down two threes, and neither team claiming a significant lead. The Pilots would enter the half down by one (27-26).
Olivia Nickerson stayed aggressive on the glass, picking up a defensive rebound only to follow through with a triple mid-quarter (7:04, 31-30).
A seven-point run by the Cougars put the Pilots back by a significant margin (37-31). Bethel then matched the seven-point charge, ending with a layup by
Jazmyn Smith (3:42, 38-37).
Mariah Claywell scored the final basket of the quarter with the Pilots down by two (43-41).
In the final quarter, the Pilots' balanced offense posted three successful shots beyond the arc, thanks to
Isabel Scales (7:16),
Olivia Nickerson (4:59) and
Mariah Claywell (2:30).
Bethel entered overtime tied at 56, following a layup by Cali Gregory of Saint Francis.
Overtime was highlighted by Freshman Izzy Nooe, who splashed two consecutive threes for a six-point Pilot lead (64-58).
A seven-point run by the Cougars, concluding with two baskets at the charity stripe, granted the No. 6 Cougars the 65-64 victory in the hard fought battle.
Head Coach
Scott Polsgrove shared, "Very proud of the girls' effort tonight. We had plenty of opportunities but Saint Francis made one more play than we did. Thankful for my team and the character they displayed."
The Bethel Pilots will next faceoff with the RV Huntington University Foresters (17-6, 9-4) on Saturday, Feb. 7 in Platt Arena. 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.
