MISHAWAKA, Ind. —The Bethel Pilots (16-1, 6-1) defeated the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars (11-6, 3-4) 89-88 on Saturday evening in the Gates Gymnasium. The win increases the program’s winning streak to five over the Crossroads League opponent, which began with Bethel’s home victory (96-89) in the 2023-24 season (Jan. 6, 2024).
Luke McBride served as the team’s leading scorer, contributing 16 points for the Pilots while adding three defensive rebounds and one steal.
Jameir Jefferson and Beau Jacquay each posted double-doubles with 14 and 12 points scored, respectively. Jefferson totaled 11 rebounds (10-1) while Jacquay posted 13 (9-4).
Colin Comer led the team from three (3-8), adding double digits (14), alongside Alonas Peciulis (12).
Following the Cougars’ aggressive 5-0 start, Mount Vernon refused to drop the lead well into the first half. At 7:57, Jameir Jefferson finally tied it up 20-20 at the charity stripe.
Mason Bales granted Bethel it’s first lead of the night with a shot from downtown, assisted by Luke McBride (27-24, 7:28).
The Pilots posted a five-point run, ending with a layup in the paint by Jameir Jefferson, to conclude the first half up 49-44.
In the second, Al Peciulis cashed in his steal for a slam to put the Pilots up by six (53-47).
Colin Comer splashed the first triple of the second for the Pilots, adding another at 16:20 to up the score 66-52.
While Bethel prevented Mount Vernon from scoring runs mid-half, the Cougars challenged the Pilots’ defense in the final four minutes, shooting 37.5 percent from the field, and 50 percent from the charity stripe.
In addition to blocking efforts from Alonas Peciulis, Luke McBride’s efforts to crash the boards cemented the Pilots’ 89-88 victory,
Head Coach Steve Drabyn shared, “That was a great Crossroads League game! Hats off to Mount Vernon on continuing to fight back. Anytime we got separation, they always had an answer…Colin Comer gave great production even though he was under the weather, and finally Luke McBride and Carter Kent played a great floor. Proud of our guys for staying with it and they earned an opportunity to play in a big top five game at No. 1 Grace on Wednesday.”
Tip-off against the rival Grace Lancers will take place at 7:30 PM in the Manahan OCC in Winona Lake, Ind. The Regional Radio Sports Network will be broadcasting the game on www.rrsn.com