Box Score POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. ---The Bethel Pilots (24-9, 12-6) fell 92-80 to the College of the Ozarks (11-19) on Wednesday evening in their first matchup of the NCCAA National Tournament. 

Colin Comer totaled 22 points for the Pilot offense, shooting 56 percent from the field (9-16) and 57 percent from three (4-7). 

Beau Jacquay added 19 points, just shy of his season high (20) against Judson University on Dec. 30.

Al Peciulis led the team in rebounds with nine (2-7) and steals (three). 

The NCCAA shared the following highlights: 

• The feeling out process began early between the two foes, with Austin Cripe and Jay Baxter trading threes for both sides, before a jumper from Garrett Snyder and a layup from Themba Tshuma put College of the Ozarks ahead 15-14 early in the first half. The two sides continued to go back-and-forth, with a pair of Snyder layups answered by two straight makes for Carter Kent, before a Beau Jacquay dunk put Bethel ahead 25-24 with 8:54 left in the first half.
• College of the Ozarks started to get hot late in the opening frame, as Baxter and Andrew Dalton made a pair of shots from deep, before a Snyder layup put the Bobcats in front 38-34. Snyder added another to swell the CofO lead to seven, but a Colin Comer triple right before the break helped Bethel cut into the deficit, and the Pilots trailed 45-41 going into the locker room.
• The Bobcats responded well to open the second half, as DJ Quarles nailed a jumper from beyond the arc to push the CofO lead to 50-43, but Jacquay answered with four straight points to cut the 'Cats lead to just three early in the second half. The law office of Tshuma, Snyder and Baxter added a trio of jumpers to pull away, and a three-ball from Dalton swelled the CofO advantage to 60-51 with 13:20 left in the game. Snyder continued to pour it on for College of the Ozarks, adding an and-one conversion to push the Bobcats ahead 65-54 halfway through the second half.
• Comer connected on another triple to cut the Bobcat lead down to five, but again, it was Snyder coming up big for College of the Ozarks, drilling a trey to put the 'Cats back up 70-62 with 9:10 remaining in the game. The run continued for the Bobcats, as Tyler Moore connected on a hoop and harm, while Snyder poured in another jumper. 

The No. 1 Seeded Bethel Pilots will look for their next victory against the No. 5 Ohio Christian University Trailblazers (27-4) tomorrow at 11:15 EST / 10:15 CDT. 

The Pilots last won the NCCAA National Championship Title in 2023. 

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