UPLAND, Ind. —The No. 10 Bethel Men’s Basketball Team (19-3, 9-3) defeated the No. 24 Taylor University Trojans (16-6, 8-4) on Saturday afternoon in Odle Arena. Luke McBride sank the game-winning three with five seconds left on the clock for the 78-75 victory.
McBride demonstrated similar grit against the Marian University Knights last Saturday, nailing a jumpshot to give the Pilots a 81-80 win at the Physical Education Center.
Austin Cripe led the Pilot offense with 21 points scored, shooting 53.8% from the field (7-13).
Luke McBride (15) and Colin Comer (12) totaled double digits, with McBride leading the team in both steals (four) and assists (four).
Beau Jacquay and Alonas Peciulis stayed aggressive on the glass, each adding 11 and 10 boards respectively.
In the opening half, the Trojans held off Bethel from gaining a lead, until Luke McBride broke through with a layup to put Bethel ahead 26-25 (6:42).
The Pilots proceeded to go 9-10 at the charity stipe, entering halftime down 43-35.
Following a scoring drought in the second, Carter Kent re-tied the score with a free throw before Colin Comer sank a triple for a one-point lead (51-50, 12:41).
In the tug of war for points, Bethel broke away with a slight three point margin (75-72) following a layup by Beau Jacquay (0:29).
Taylor’s Carson Gould responded by capitalizing on the and one for a 75-75 showdown (0:11).
Finally, Luke McBride answered with a shot beyond the arc for the 78-75 Pilot victory.
Head Coach Steve Drabyn shared, “…What a win for our team! I am extremely proud of how we competed against a really good team on the road…Luke McBride made a big-time shot late, Beau Jacquay with a huge offensive rebound putback, Austin Cripe with some big-time threes, and Jameir Jefferson with some great defensive plays. It doesn’t get any easier going forward, but we will celebrate this and get ready for the next one.”
The Pilots will next face the University of Saint Francis Cougars (8-13, 3-9) on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 PM in the Gates Gymnasium.