MISHAWAKA –  Clay Yeo had a huge game as the Bethel College men’s basketball team opened conference play Tuesday night with an 87-73 win over Mount Nazarene University.

Yeo, a former star at Triton High School, poured in 33 points as the host Pilots won their Crossroads League opener.

Yeo, a junior guard for the Pilots, led a second-half charge with 18 of his points as the Pilots improved to 9-0 on the season.

Bethel struggled in the first half Tuesday night shooting only 39 percent from the floor and just 27 percent from the three point line. The Cougars used the cold shooting and foul trouble to capitalize on the Pilots in the first half. During the first half the Cougars would lead by as many as 11 and would go into half with a four point lead on the Pilots.

Yeo paced the Pilots in the second half as the hosts rallied for the win.  Junior Jordyn Coon, a Warsaw product, turned in a stellar effort for the Pilots with 16 points and 7 rebounds coming off the bench.

Junior point guard Caleb Oetjen and sophomore forward Gage Ott would each add 15 points to help lift the Pilots past the Cougars.

For the Cougars, senior Eric Roby would lead with 24 points and 11 rebounds, recording his first career double-double. Junior Cliff Bussey, junior Josh Ashwill, and freshman Brett Vipperman would all score in double digits for the Cougars.

The Cougars now move to 4-4 on the season and 0-1 in the Crossroads League.

The Pilots begin the Crossroads League 1-0 for the season and move to a perfect 9-0 during the year. The Pilots next game will be Dec. 1 as they will travel to Upland to take on Taylor University.

The Trojans come into the game with a 3-4 season record and a 0-1 record in the Crossroads League with a loss to Grace College Tuesday night.