Box Score POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. ---The Bethel Pilots (23-12, 10-8) finished runner-up in NCCAA D1 National Tournament, falling 73-64 to the Bobcats of the College of the Ozarks (25-11) in Saturday's championship matchup. 

Jazmyn Smith led the Pilots with 16 points while staying aggressive on the glass with seven boards (4-3). 

Mariah Claywell (14) and Isabel Scales (9) each nearly missed a double-double with the duo each recording nine boards apiece. 

Isabella Nooe led the team in assists (3), while Hannah Ruddle and Joslyn Marshall each recorded one steal. 

The NCCAA shared the following highlights: 

• Logan Jones got the home College of the Ozarks crowd rocking early with a three in the opening minutes to give the Bobcats the first five points of the contest in a battle of the two top seeds in the NCCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship.
• After the three, the two sides would trade opportunities in the post. Bethel would see Jazmyn Smith score the first four points for the Pilots, while the Bobcats saw Keara Mattingley score a pair in the post to bring the score to 10-6.
• Ashlen Garrett would hit a floater in the final seconds of the first quarter to give Ozarks the 15-11 lead at the end of the period.
• Ashlen Garrett would add a three with 8:12 remaining in the second quarter to force Bethel into their first timeout with the score 18-11.
• The second quarter proved to be a game of runs. Ozarks started with a 9-0 run to go on top 25-11. Bethel responded with an 11-0 run that saw a three from Olivia Nickerson and Isabella Nooe to instantly cut it back to a three-point game. The Bobcats would end the half on an 8-2 run to go into the locker room up 34-26. Both sides ended the half just under 40% shooting with Ozarks significantly winning the turnover battle at 11-4.
• To open the third quarter, Bethel would score four quick points to cut the deficit in half. Logan Jones once again was the great equalizer for Ozarks hitting a big three to bring the lead to 37-30.
• Bethel refused to quit, continuing to inch closer toward the end of the third quarter. A pair of Isabel Scales free throws would cut the deficit to one possession at 43-40 with 4:11 to play in the third.
• The two sides would combine to go 22-24 in the third quarter from the free throw line as the physicality increased. Bethel's Olivia Nickerson would hit a three for Bethel at the third quarter buzzer, tying the game. The game would sit tied for the first time since the opening tip, 51-51.
• Mariah Claywell hit a jumper for the Pilots to open the fourth quarter, giving Bethel their first lead of the game, 53-51.
• The two sides would trade buckets for the next three minutes with Bethel calling a timeout with 5:50 to play up 59-57.
• The Ozarks duo of Ashlen Garrett and Savannah Ketchum would power Ozarks to an 8-0 run in crunch time of the fourth quarter to take the lead back once more. Bethel would call timeout after a Ketchum bucket inside with the Bobcats leading 65-59.
• Bethel would not be able to overcome the late Ozarks run, as the Logan Jones and the Bobcats would hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the 73-64 victory. Ozarks would earn their third NCCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship in the last four years, winning back-to-back titles on their home floor.

The Pilots previously won the NCCAA National Title in 2011, but the 2025-26 season marks Bethel's first appearance at the tournament since then.

Head Coach Scott Polsgrove shared, "Really proud of my team and what we accomplished this year. We didn't finish today's game the way we wanted, but that doesn't diminish the strides we made as a program." He continued, "I am particularly proud of our four seniors: Mariah Claywell, Jazmyn Smith, Hannah Ruddle, and Faith Fleetwood. These young ladies exemplify (who) a Bethel Women's Basketball Player is and each one will be greatly missed." 

Alongside the Pilots' momentous advancement to the NAIA Second Round, Bethel Women's Basketball will prove formidable moving into next season, with Christ at the Helm. 

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