MISHAWAKA – The No. 7 ranked Bethel College men’s basketball team fell to 21-4 on the season and 9-4 in Crossroads League play with a 77-68 loss to No. 13 University of Saint Francis Tuesday night inside the Wiekamp Athletic Center.

The loss drops the Pilots into a three-way tie for second place with the Cougars and Grace College.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair as neither team could put together more than a five-point lead. Zach Miller managed a three-pointer to give Bethel an early advantage and hold it until the the 5:35 mark when Saint Francis went on a 6-0 spurt to claim a 26-23 lead.

The Pilots would fight back getting back-to-back baskets from freshman Chris Mitchell to put Bethel on top 36-35 at the break.

In the opening half the Pilots shot 47 percent from the field while USF managed 42. The Pilots, known for their ability to shoot the ball from outside went just 33 percent from beyond the arc on 4-of-12 shooting.

Despite the struggles from three-point range Bethel would find themseves up six points (58-52) with 8:40 remaining.

That’s when the Cougars made their move overpowering the Pilot defense outscoring them 26-10 to close out the contest. A combination of poor shooting and defensive breakdowns would allow Saint Francis to capitalize down the stretch.

Bethel would connect on just 29 percent shooting in the final stanza on 10-of-34 shooting including 23 percent (3-of-13) from three-point range.

Miller would lead all scorers with a game-high 20 points. Matt Schauss added 17 points and 10 rebounds, Clay Yeo brought in 12 while Mitchell chipped in 11.

Getting away from the Wiekamp Center may be just what the Pilots need as they take their perfect 14-0 road record to Marian University on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.