Pilots continue to struggle at home

While the Pilots are coming off of a three game road winning streak, the woes continue to come at home as the Pilots fell to Spring Arbor 64-62. The loss came as a big disappointment to the men’s basketball team, falling to 5-5 and a six way tie for third place. Meanwhile, the Cougars jump to 5-4 and claim second place by themselves. The game began with a very slow pace that was the result of both stiff defense and cold shooting. Spring Arbor, who appeared more comfortable with the low scoring affair caught a bit of fire toward the end of the first half and claimed a 28-21 halftime lead. The Pilots came into the second half determined to change their poor offensive execution and went on an 8-2 which put them down 30-29. However, the Cougars would respond with a run of their own to grab a 52-42 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. The Pilots were able to fight their way all the way back and tie the game at 61-61 with 28 seconds remaining. However, the Cougars hit a shot with a foul and went up 64-61 with five seconds left. The Pilots put the ball in Matt Schauss’s hands who has hit a couple of game winners for the Pilots this season and Spring Arbor elected to foul Schauss with one second remaining. Schauss hit the first free-throw and was forced to purposefully miss the second. Unfortunately for the Pilots, the ball did not make contact with the rim and the Cougars attained possession. The Pilots sported blue jerseys at the Wiekamp Center with the hopes of bringing their road success home. However, they would have no such luck as four of their five losses have now come at home. Zach Miller led all Bethel scorers with 13 points and collected two of the team’s three steals. Patrick Oetting also owned the paint with 12 points and seven rebounds. The Pilots will next travel to Goshen on January 24, to take on the Maple Leafs. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.