MISHAWAKA, Ind.–The Bethel Pilots (13-15, 6-12) fell to the Taylor University Trojans (7-21, 2-16) 78-71 today in the Gates Gymnasium. Seniors Jerilyn Blackmon, Faith Davis, Kallie Harrison, Caroline Morris, Paige Walton, and Abigail Williams were honored for their contributions to the Bethel Women’s Basketball Program.
Mariah Claywell led the Pilots in scoring, recording 18 points for Bethel. Claywell also led the team in assists, with five.
Isabel Scales recorded 12 points and led the team in rebounds (six). Scales shot 50% from the floor (4-8).
At the onset of the first quarter, Caroline Morris initiated the Pilots’ scoring with a layup at 9:26 (2-0).
Faith Davis made the first shot behind the arc for either team (7:51) as Bethel led by one, 5-4.
The Pilots held the Trojans to eight points for over four minutes as they pressed forth with a nine-point run, sparked by a series of free throws made by Caroline Morris (6:45, 6:09) and sustained by a three from Kallie Harrison (4:36).
The Trojans scored eight points in the last two minutes of the quarter, but Bethel won the first 18-16.
At the start of the second quarter, Jazmyn Smith knocked down a layup to initiate scoring (8:07).
At 6:27, Mariah Claywell made a layup to give the Pilots a five-point lead (22-17).
The Trojans challenged the Pilots’ defense with aggressive shooting, totaling four threes in the quarter with none from Bethel. Taylor took the second quarter, leading 31-30 at the half.
Bethel opened up the second half with a layup by Mariah Claywell (9:38).
Gracie Lambes tied the score 37-37 after making both shots at the charity stripe (7:44). At 7:19, Olivia Nickerson posted a three-pointer to give the Pilots a three-point lead (40-37).
The back-and-forth basket battle continued as both teams strove for a lead. Bethel led the scoreboard mid-quarter until the Trojans re-tied the score 46-46 at 4:17. Olivia
Nickerson downed another shot from downtown (1:57) to bring the score 49-49. Justyce Williams secured both free throw points (1:13) to re-tie the score 51-51.
As both teams persisted, Taylor claimed the third quarter up 54-51.
In the final quarter, Jazmyn Smith put the first Bethel points on the board with a layup (9:11). Ellia Foster sank the first three of the quarter by either team (8:14) as Bethel trailed by three (59-56).
Isabel Scales sank a layup and made a subsequent free throw (2:39) to bring the score 68-66, with the Trojans leading by two.
Taylor ultimately claimed the win after making a series of free throws in the last three minutes of the game. Bethel fell to the Trojans 78-71.
Despite the loss, the Pilots have secured a seventh-place finish in the Crossroads League Conference standings. They will compete in the Crossroads League Quarterfinal against the Saint Francis Cougars (the number two seed) on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hutzell Athletic Center.