WINONA LAKE, Ind. —The Bethel Pilots (13-5, 4-4) picked up their third consecutive win over the Grace College Lancers (9-9, 1-7) with a 97-95 victory in the Manahan OCC on Wednesday evening.
Jazmyn Smith showcased a double-double with 26 points, her highest scoring game as a Bethel Pilot, and 14 rebounds (5-9).
Olivia Nickerson totaled 21 points, shooting 54 percent from three (6-11).
Isabel Scales (18 points) and Mariah Claywell (14 points) added double digits while each contributing seven boards.
In the opening quarter, Olivia Nickerson splashed a triple for the first shot of the game (9:34, 3-0), assisted by Isabel Scales.
The Pilots held the lead for the entirety of the first, with Bethel shooting an impressive 60 percent from the field as a team.
With Bethel up 28-17 on the board, the Lancers claimed the first points of the second with a pair at the line by Becca Gerdt (8:35, 28-19). The Lancers outshot the Piots by two, totaling 19 points, as Bethel entered the half up 45-36.
While it appeared Bethel would walk away with the easy win, Grace’s consistency in the final ten minutes proved an immense challenge.
A 12 point run by the Lancers put Grace behind by just one point (84-85), while a triple by Grace’s Bekah Longenbaugh tied the game up for the first time (2:19, 87-87).
Isabel Scales and Jazmyn Smith then kicked off a significant six-point run (93-87), initiated with an easy bucket by the duo (1:39).
With seven seconds left on the clock, Emma Sperry of the Lancers knocked down three consecutive free throws put the pressure on Bethel.
In a nail-biting finish, Mariah Claywell showcased a fast break layup to grant the Pilots the 97-95 win.
Head Coach Scott Polsgrove wrote, “Really good conference road win for us against an explosive Grace team. Big game Saturday at home against IWU on our senior day.”
Tip-off against the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, Jan. 17 in the Gates Gymnasium. Seniors Faith Fleetwood, Mariah Claywell, Jazmyn Smith, and Hannah Ruddle will be honored five minutes prior to game start time.