Bethel Basketball: Pilots Prevail In Opener
BERRIEN SPRINGS – The No. 16 Bethel College Pilots defeated Andrews University (Mich.) on Wednesday night 86-70 in the 2016-2017 season opener.
Senior guard Clay Yeo led the way for the Pilots with 28 points and nine rebounds as the former Triton High School star shot 60 percent from the field (9-of-15).
Senior guard Jordyn Coon, a product of WCHS, added 18 points and seven rebounds as he shot 58 percent from the field (7-of-12).
In an up-tempo game, the Pilots jumped out early opening up a quick 14-3 advantage in the first four minutes of the game. The Pilots continued to gradually extend their lead all the way to halftime, going into intermission with an 18-point lead (51-33).
The Pilots shot 54 percent in the first half going 20-of-37 from the field and shooting 41 percent from behind the arch. Yeo scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half to help spark the Pilots right from the beginning. Andrews entered halftime with ten different players in the scoring column with their leading scorer, sophomore Justice McLean, with six points.
Andrews refused to go away quietly cutting the lead to just eight midway in the second half. The Cardinals continued to fight, but the stellar play from Coon helped spark life for the Pilots once more as Bethel went on a 18-to-12 run in the last minutes of the game to extend their lead and solidify the victory. Coon scored 11 of his 18 points while going 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from the three-point mark.
The Pilots finished the night shooting 44 percent from the field (20-of-37) and out-rebounding the Cardinals by 11. Sophomore guard Trey’von Covington added 11 points for the Pilots, while sophomore forward, Paul Foreman, added 10.
The Pilots quickly turn around to face (RV) Ohio Christian in game two of the Maple City Hoopfest hosted by Goshen College on Friday at 8 p.m.