SPRING ARBOR, Mich. — The Bethel Pilots (20-9, 11-8) defeated the NAIA Ranked No. 16 Spring Arbor University Cougars (22-7, 13-5) on Tuesday evening in the American 1 Credit Union Arena.
Sophomore Isabel Scales showcased a career high of 26 points to surpass her previous 22 against the Huntington University Foresters earlier this season (Feb. 7).
Jazmyn Smith posted a double-double with ten points and ten boards.
Olivia Nickerson added 15 points, shooting 44 percent from three (4-9) and 75 percent from the charity stripe (3-4).
Mariah Claywell led the team in steals (six) while Izzy Nooe led the team in assists (four).
In the opening quarter, Jazmyn Smith scored the first basket of the game, assisted by Mariah Claywell (8:50, 2-0).
The Pilots pushed for a five-point run mid-quarter, with Mariah Claywell capitalizing on a steal for an eight-point lead (17-9, 1:31).
Justyce Williams added Bethel’s final shot of the quarter (0:58) before Bethel entered the second up 19-14.
In the second quarter, the Pilots held the lead until Spring Arbor’s Rielyn Goodwin tied it up with a shot in the paint (3:49, 25-25).
Isabel Scales came through for a tremendous end to the half, shooting 3-4 from the charity stripe after adding a basket.
After trailing 35-33 at the half to the Pilots, the Cougars responded with a small three-point lead thanks to Ashley Weller’s triple and consecutive shots at the line by Emma Smieska (38-35).
The unphased Pilots went on to outshoot the Cougars by three points in the final quarter (24-21) and take the game 74-68.
Head Coach Scott Polsgrove shared, “So proud of my team. To win a road conference tournament game shows incredible toughness. Now we get the privilege of going to USF on Friday.”
The Pilots will face the No. 7 University of Saint Francis Cougars (26-3, 15-3) in the Hutzell Athletic Center on Friday, Feb. 27. Tip-off is set for 7 PM for the Crossroads League Semifinal.