SPRING ARBOR, Mich.—The Bethel Pilots (11-5, 2-4) fell to the Spring Arbor University Cougars (14-2, 5-1) 61-56 on Wednesday evening in the American 1 Credit Union Arena.
The match marked the first time in four years that Bethel held the Cougars to less than a ten-point margin (Jan. 22, 2022), when the Pilots won 97-93 at home.
Additionally, the performances of Isabel Scales and Jazmyn Smith landed them each a higher spot on the Crossroads League Leaderboard. Scales went 6-6 at the charity stripe and now ranks fourth in the league for overall free throw percentage (80%). Jazmyn Smith led the Pilots in total rebounds with six (1-5), and now ranks first in the Crossroads League for rebounds per game (9.4). Smith also holds the fifth place spot for defensive rebounds per game (5.6), tied with this week’s NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week, Abbey McNally of Marian University.
Izzy Nooe remains in fifth place for total assists, now with 57.
Isabel Scales and Olivia Nickerson each totaled 14 points, while Nickerson led the team from beyond the arc (4-10).
Mariah Claywell posted 11 points, three assists, and five boards (2-3).
In the opening quarter, Mariah Claywell knocked down two points for the first basket of the game, assisted by Jazmyn Smith (9:44).
For the final nine minutes of the quarter, Spring Arbor would hold the lead as the Pilots navigated the impressive Cougar defense, complete with three steals and seven defensive rebounds to put on the pressure.
Isabel Scales chipped away at the margin in the second, adding four points as Bethel trailed by one (22-21, 3:31).
Justyce Williams shot the final basket of the half, assisted by Hannah Ruddle (0:44). The Pilots entered halftime down 29-23.
Although Bethel showcased a higher 3PT percentage in both the third and fourth quarters, Spring Arbor’s work in the first half secured their win.
Head Coach Scott Polsgrove wrote, “Tough loss but proud of how my team competed. One possession game with under a minute to go on the road versus a top 20 type team. We will learn and get better.”
The Pilots now rank seventh in the Crossroads League, behind Indiana Wesleyan (3-3) and ahead of Mount Vernon (1-5), Grace (0-6) and Goshen (0-6).
Bethel’s next time out will take place this Saturday, Jan. 10 as the Pilots host the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars at 1 PM in the Gates Gymnasium.