MISHAWAKA, Ind. —The Bethel Pilots (7-2, 1-2) fell 77-63 to the RV Taylor University Trojans (9-0, 3-0) on Wednesday evening in the Gates Gymnasium.
Olivia Nickerson posted a season high of 21 points, shooting 8-12 from the field (66%) and 3-5 from beyond the arc (60%).
Isabella Nooe recorded nine rebounds (3-6), shattering her previous season high of eight against the Goshen College Maple Leafs (Nov. 22).
Isabel Scales and Joslyn Marshall added to the Pilot season milestones with an five steals, and four boards (1-3) respectively.
After an aggressive start by Taylor in the first, Bethel claimed the lead for the first time in the match at 4:21 with a successful layup by Isabella Nooe (13-11).
Joslyn Marshall then nailed a shot from downtown (4:00), and Justyce Williams came through with a layup (3:22) to put the Pilots up by four (18-14).
Bethel had its greatest showing in the second quarter, matching total points scored with the Trojans (18) following a layup by Luvrain Gaskins (0:12).
The Pilots entered into halftime down 44-36 and could not recover in the closing quarters.
Head Coach Scott Polsgrove shared, “Give Taylor a lot of credit—they played really well. Our team gave great effort, rebounded the ball well even while being short handed.”
Bethel will next face the No. 6 Ranked University of Saint. Francis Cougars (9-1, 2-1) on Sat, Dec. 6 at the Hutzell Athletic Center.
In the Cougars’ most recent matchup, Saint Francis fell 81-59 to the No. 19 Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats on Wednesday evening.