MISHAWAKA – In their first ever meeting,  the Bethel College Pilots defeated the Simmons Falcons 119-75 on Saturday afternoon in men’s college basketball action at the  Wiekamp Athletic Facility.

The Pilots scored first with a good three-pointer from forward Ryan Wassink and never looked back.

The Falcons were able to keep the score close and with 9:19 left to play in the first half were only down by four (29-25), but four quick free throws put the Pilots back up by eight. The Pilots continued to extend their lead during the rest of the first half, and headed into intermission with a 27-point lead off of a good three-point attempt by junior Tanner Shepherd.

Sophomore forward Paul Forman led the Pilots with 13 points in the first half, going 3-of-4 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. During the first half the Pilots shot 54 percent from the field and a season high 85 percent from the free-throw line connecting on 18-of-21 attempts.

During the second half the Pilots continued to increase their lead. The Pilots biggest lead of the night (45) came with 1:27 left to play in the game off of a good free-throw attempt from freshman Chase Fierstos.

For the game, Bethel connected on 58 of their shots (17-of-31) while sinking 36-of-45 free throws shooting a season high 80 percent.

The Pilots ended the night with four different players in double-figures. Sophomore guard Trey’von Covington led the Pilots with 19 points going 6-of-9 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul-line. Forman added 18 points finishing the night going 5-of-6 from the field. Junior Gage Ott added 17 point connecting on 6-of-7 attempts, while sophomore Grant Gayler finished the night with 11 points going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from behind the arc.

Senior Nick Kindig scored eight points and senior Clay Yeo added six for the undefeated Pilots.

The Falcons were led by guard Xavier Jackson who finished the night going 5-of-11 with 14 points. The Falcons shot just 32 percent from the field and only 28 percent from behind the three-point line.

The Pilots travel to LaCrosse, Wis. on Thursday to take part in the Viterbo University invitational. Bethel will face Viterbo University on Thursday and turn around to face Cardinal Stritch University on Friday.