HUNTINGTON, Ind. — The #18 Bethel Pilots (16-5, 7-4) nearly completed a late-game comeback from being down 24 points against the (RV) Huntington Foresters (14-7, 7-4) on Wednesday night.
The Foresters took a double-digit lead at 10:40 in the first half off Lane Sparks’ triple, taking a 21-11, 10-point advantage and maintaining the lead through the half. With under three minutes to go until halftime, Luke McBride dropped a deep ball to drop the deficit to eight points but would go into the half down 12-points, 42-30.
The Pilots continued to fall further behind, with the highest Forester lead peaking at 24 points at 12:33, but the comeback began a few possessions later. Drew Lutz started the roll into the Pilots’ favor with four made free throws, followed by a made jumper.
Clay Hilliard, who scored a season-high 20 points, hit back-to-back triples with 9:45 left in regulation, and McBride dropped one right after to make it 70-61 Huntington. Lutz hit a mid-range jumper at 6:45, got to the charity stripe, and knocked down two free throws, making it a five-point deficit.
Jameir Jefferson came in clutch with a three-point play at 3:43, bringing the Pilots within one point, 75-74, but the Foresters answered Bethel’s every possession and upset the Pilots 83-81.
The Pilots allowed 23 points off 13 turnovers but took advantage of 10 points off Huntington’s turnovers.
Hilliard scored a season-high 20 points from 8-for-15 shooting from the field and knocked down four triples. Jefferson also hit a season-high 14 points, Lutz dropped 17 points, and James Anderson had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pilots and Foresters are now tied at 7-4 in Crossroads League play for third place. They are two games behind NAIA fifth-ranked Indiana Wesleyan, who is second in the conference.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots will face off with #5 Indiana Wesleyan in the Gates Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. on WHME 46 and the Bethel Sports Network, in conjunction with the Regional Radio Sports Network.