Bethel women’s basketball falls to Spring Arbor University, 85-59

SPRING ARBOR, Mich.–The Bethel Pilots (13-14, 6-11) fell to the Spring Arbor Cougars (18-19,11-6) 85-59 on the road on Wednesday in the American 1 Credit Union Arena.
Isabel Scales was the leading scorer for the Pilots with eleven points. She went 4-4 on field goals and 3-3 at the charity stripe. Scales also recorded two rebounds.
Olivia Nickerson posted nine points for the Bethel offense, shooting 3-9 from downtown (33.3%) and 3-11 from the floor (27.3%).
Justyce Williams led the team in rebounds (five), and Gracie Lambes led the team in assists (three).
In the early minutes of the game, Mariah Claywell initiated Bethel’s scoring with a layup in the paint (8:24).
The Cougars gained a slight lead (seven points) mid-quarter, but Olivia Nickerson sank back to back three’s  (4:17, 3:02) to decrease Bethel’s point deficit 14-9.
Bethel trailed behind for the remainder of the first quarter, with Justyce Williams posting a three in the last minute of the game to bring the Pilots’ score 21-12.
Bethel concluded the first quarter down 23-12.
At the onset of the second, Mariah Claywell made a jumper in the paint (9:09). Caroline Morris followed suit with her own shot, as Bethel trailed 23-16.
The Pilots’ offense posted an eight-point run mid-quarter, ending with a pair at the line made by Isabel Scales at 3:18 (28-25).
The Cougars retaliated with an eleven-point run to conclude the first half. The Pilots trailed 39-25.
At the onset of the third quarter, neither team saw a significant run. Caroline Morris hit a jumper in the paint (9:33) to bring Bethel’s score 42-27.
Hannah Ruddle and Faith Davis each downed threes (4:25 and 2:03 respectively) before the Cougar offense showcased a seven-point run to end the third. The Pilots finished the third quarter down 66-24.
In the final quarter, Hannah Ruddle jump-started the Pilot offense with a jumper in the paint (8:58).
Kallie Harrison posted four points for Bethel with a jumper at 7:20 and two shots behind the charity stripe (2:32). Bethel finished the game down 85 to 59.
The Pilots face the Taylor Trojans, their last opponent standing in the way of an NCCAA tournament run. If the Pilots secure the win, Bethel will qualify for the NCCAA North-Central Regional Tournament, where they would face Northwestern University.
Bethel will take on the Trojans in Gates Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1:00 p.m.
For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube by searching @bupilots or using the hashtag #AnchorUp for updates on all 28 Bethel Pilots sports.