MISHAWAKA, Ind.—The Bethel Pilots (14-1, 4-1) defeated the RV Huntington University Foresters (11-4, 2-3) 82-76 on Saturday evening in the Gates Gymnasium.
With the win, the Pilots are now tied for second in the Crossroads League with Taylor (4-1), while the Foresters (fourth) stand tied with the Marian Knights (2-3). The No. 1 Grace College Lancers (5-0) hold the top spot.
Austin Cripe showcased his 500th career point (508 total) in the second half with a triple, assisted by Jameir Jefferson (13:41). The junior served as the leading scorer (24 points), while adding five rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Luke McBride totaled 19 points, shooting 60 percent from three (3-5).
Beau Jacquay led the Pilots in rebounds with seven (2-5), while scoring ten points.
Alonas Peciulis also hit double digits with 11 points scored, simultaneously leading the team in dimes (six).
While the two ranked teams compared in most statistical categories, Bethel’s three-point percentage (47.6%) significantly impacted the game. Bethel made 10-21 triples, while Huntington recorded seven threes off of 21 attempts (33.3%).
Defensively, Bethel posted their highest number of team blocks this season (five) surpassing its previous four in their home opener against Holy Cross (Nov. 4).
In the opening half, Beau Jaquay capitalized on a layup to give the Pilots a 4-0 lead (18:50).
Bethel held the lead for the entirety of the first, never tying, and outscoring the Foresters by 21 points (46-25).
In the second half, Huntington’s offense reignited. The Foresters battled to narrow their point deficit to two, as Landon Biegel splashed a three (5:35, 70-68).
The Pilots proceeded to seize every free point from the charity stripe, with Alonas Peciulis (3:25), Luke McBride (1:30), and Austin Cripe (0:17, 0:07) putting up perfect numbers to close out the game 82-76.
Head Coach Steve Drabyn shared, “I was really proud of our guys tonight for the way they came out and played with confidence and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor…I give Huntington a lot of credit for staying the course and for making adjustments at halftime to get some traction in the game. They are really hard to guard. Really proud of our guys for taking that punch, staying together, and finding a way to win the game.”