Bethel Basketball: Southeastern Nips Pilots
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Bethel College men’s basketball team suffered a devastating loss to the hands of the Southeastern Fire, 74-73, Tuesday night in the second game of the Saint Thomas Classic in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Pilots were the first to score in the contest and quickly took a 10-4 lead early in the game. The Pilots continued to extend their lead and with 7:53 left to play in the first half found themselves up by 10 points at 25-15 and in control on the game. The Fire responded to finish out the half on a 25-11 run headed into halftime with a four point lead at 40-36.
The Pilots entered intermission shooting 48 percent from the field and 30 percent from the three-point line. Sophomore guard Trey’von Covington led the Pilots with eight points.
The Pilots struggled early in the second half as the Fire continued the way they ended the first half, going on another run. Southeastern began the half on a 11-4 run to take a 51-40 lead and continued to slowly extend the lead until the 8:00 minute mark. The Pilots gave one last ditch effort and finished the game on an 18-5 run but in the end fell just short.
Senior guard Caleb Oetjen and Covington each ended the game with 15 points on the night. Oetjen added four rebounds and two assist, while Covington pulled down three rebounds and one assist. Senior Jordyn Coon added 10 points, pulling down three rebounds and dishing out five assist. The Pilots finished the night shooting 50 percent from the field, and just 28 percent from the three-point line.
Bethel (11-3) will return home on December 28 to take on Lawrence Tech.