FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Drew Lutz put up 30 points for the second time this season and scored 30+ points for the third time. James Anderson faced his former team and dropped 12 points on six rebounds on a familiar court for the senior.
Nathan Aerts shot 58% from the floor and sunk 18 points and seven rebounds after a four-game streak of being under five points scoring.
The Pilots jumped out of the gate to a 10-0 run at 17:05 in the first half but were quickly overtaken with a 13-2 run to take their first lead of 13-12 at 14:29, with Isaiah Malone capitalizing with a dunk and a three.
Nathan Aerts took charge with a layup and two good buckets from the charity stripe to put the Pilots within one at 3:33, but it wouldn’t last long, falling by eight by 2:18.
Aerts tied the game at 72 all at 11:03 in the second half and had 10 of his 18 points in the final half of the game. Preston Phillips put the icing on the cake for their highest lead of 12 points with a layup at 4:19.
Bethel is now 12-2 and 3-1 in Crossroads League play, tied with Indiana Wesleyan for second place and one game behind Grace (Ind.), who is in the middle of a perfect 14-0 season.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
James Anderson nearly put up a double-double against his former team with 12 points and six rebounds.
Lutz shot 52% with 30 points for the second time since Georgetown (Ky.) on Dec. 12.
Bethel took advantage of 17 second-chance points and grabbed 10 offensive boards.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots return home on Saturday, Jan. 6, to host the Cougars of Mount Vernon Nazarene, with the opening tip set for 3 p.m. in the Gates Gymnasium.