MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Bethel Pilots (5-6, 1-3) fall to 1-3 in Crossroads League play and are on a 17-game losing streak to the NAIA 13th-ranked Saint Francis Cougars (11-0, 4-0) after Saturday’s 87-50 loss in the Gates Gymnasium.
In the all-time series, Bethel is 5-31 since 2007, with the last win over the Cougars on Jan. 21, 2017.
Despite the loss, Justyce Williams dropped 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting, with Isabel Scales hitting eight points with seven rebounds, close to a double-double.
The Cougars opened the game with an 8-2 run, which was capped off at 5:57 in the first quarter by a three-point play.
Hannah Ruddle broke up the run with a triple after a Cougars turnover at 5:15, bringing the game back to a one-possession difference of 8-5.
Ellia Foster hit a three at 4:17 to answer a USF layup to chip the deficit to 10-8, but the Cougars dropped a three to end the first up 17-10.
USF hit an 11-point, 33-22 lead at 1:00 in the second quarter off a triple before Mariah Claywell split a pair at the line with 46 seconds left in the half to go into halftime down 33-23.
Williams hit a jumper at 7:50 in the third, then hit a free throw to get the game down to 39-31.
The Cougars ended the third after catching fire by 26 points, 65-39, then won 87-50 to keep their undefeated streak alive.
Bethel faces the NCCAA Grace Christian Tigers on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Gates Gymnasium.