UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. —The NAIA Ranked No. 7 Bethel Pilots (11-1) defeated the Governors State University Jaguars (7-4) 95-73 on Thursday evening in the GSU ARC.
Austin Cripe led the team from three (6-9), while totaling 20 points in 27 minutes. The junior guard now stands in first place on the Crossroads League Leaderboard for overall three-point percentage (50.7), just above Taylor University’s Izaiah Day (50.6). Cripe also led the Pilots in steals (two), to total 24 on the season and earn a top three spot on the leaderboard.
Four additional Pilots hit double digits, including Luke McBride (14), Alonas Peculis (12), Colin Comer (11), and Jameir Jefferson (10). Beau Jacquay led the team in total boards with nine (4-5).
Although both teams were comparable in field goal and free throw percentages, the Pilots lit it up from beyond the arc and hit the glass hard. Bethel (42.1%) nearly quadrupled Governors State’s three-point percentage (11.1%), showcasing eight threes while totaling 55 rebounds.
Head Coach Steve Drabyn shared, “Overall, proud of how the guys competed and settled into the game.I want to give Governors State a lot of credit for keeping it close. Jameir Jefferson gave us great minutes, Carter Kent and Andrew Hedrick handled the ball well, and Austin Cripe shot it well, making six threes.I look forward to the break and then getting back to finish out our last two non-conference games.”
The win marks Bethel’s seventh straight win over the CCAC opponent, whom they first defeated 93-86 exactly six years ago (Dec. 18, 2019).
The Pilots will next face the Judson University Eagles (3-9) on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Tip-off is set for 7 PM in the Gates Gymnasium.