Box Score GEORGETOWN, Ky. ---The No. 6 Seeded Bethel Pilots (24-8, 12-6) fell 85-68 to the No. 3 Georgetown College Tigers (24-7, 8-4) in the Davis-Reed Alumni Gym on Saturday in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.
Austin Cripe led the Bethel offense with 29 points scored, shooting 9-20 from the field and 6-10 from deep. The redshirt sophomore guard surpassed his previous career high of 27 against Cornerstone on Dec. 29.
Beau Jacquay added a double-double with 15 points scored and ten boards (5-5).
Al Peciulis scored the first basket of the evening, and Jacquay followed suit to give the Pilots a 4-0 lead.
Austin Cripe came through with an impressive eight point stretch mid half, ending with a triple, assisted by
Andrew Hedrick (19-17, 10:35).
The Tigers answered with a six point run, but Bethel retied the score at 33 with a free throw by Jacquay (1:51).
With two seconds left on the clock, Jacquay sank a layup as the Pilots concluded the first up 38-37.
In the second half, the Tigers rallied for a seven-point stretch to put the pressure on Bethel.
While Georgetown led the board for the majority of the half, Freshman
Mason Bales brought the score within one with a pair at the line (58-59, 8:06).
The Tigers wrapped up the game with separate eight and six point runs to prevail 85-68.
Head Coach
Steve Drabyn shared, "This was a game of two teams that are worthy of being in Kansas City...We were down one point at hte last media timeout with 4:30 to go and in great position. Our players executed our game plan very well and fought hard in a tough road environment against a team that had only lost one time this year at home to the number one team in the country." He continued, "But they made the plays in the final stretch and we didn't...I am so proud of what our team accomplished this year and am grateful to be their coach!"
The Pilots will now set their sights on the NCCAA National Tournament, hosted by College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo.
Bethel will enter the tournament as the No. 1 Seed and will face the No. 8 Seeded College of the Ozarks (10-19) on Wednesday, March 18 at 5:15 PM.
The Bethel Pilots last won the NCCAA National Title in 2023.
For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, visit bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or using #TheRightWayToPlay.
