OLATHE, Kan. — The Bethel Pilots upset the sixth-seeded LSU-Alexandria Generals 85-67 at the Bell Family Arena. Nathan Aerts scored a team-leading 22 points, and Drew Lutz was just behind with 20 in an outstanding offensive performance in an important game.
The game was tied three times in the first half, including Lutz getting to the line at 3:48 and draining both free throws and Aerts doing the same at 3:08 to make it 29-29.
Trent Edwards gave the Pilots the lead with a jumper at 33-32, then Andrew Hedrick drained a mid-range jumper to go up by three at 35-32. Luke McBride drained two free throws to give the Pilots a five-point lead 37-32 in the half.
Preston Phillips broke the game open at 17:14 in the second half with a jumper, went to the line, and netted both free throws in back-to-back possessions to go up by 10 points by 16:52.
In the final minutes of regulation, the Pilots kept getting to the line and making free throws, collected 28 points from the charity stripe, and shot 67%. Bethel took advantage of transition with 11 fast break points and took advantage of 26 fouls by the Generals.
NAIA SECOND ROUND
The Pilots await the 9 p.m. matchup between MidAmerica Nazarene and Central Baptist to set up the NAIA Second Round matchup, which will play on Mar. 16 at 7 p.m. EST at the Bell Family Arena to decide who will move on to the Round of 16 at the final site in Kansas City, Mo., at Municipal Auditorium.