MISHAWAKA – The Bethel College men’s basketball team played 27 minutes of solid basketball, but No. 23 Marian University closed the final 13 minutes on a 35-13 run to tie the game while using two overtimes to defeat the Pilots 90-85.

In the first overtime session the Knights struck first and it would be their first lead since being up 4-2 in the contest. MU would eventually go up by as many as four (77-73) with just over two minutes left, but the Pilots closed the session out with two free throws from Matt Schauss and a basket with 32 seconds left from Chris Mitchell to knot the score at 77-77. Bethel would then get a huge defensive stop on Marian’s final offensive possession to send the game into double-overtime.

In double OT the Knights would connect on their first two baskets to take a four point lead (81-77). The Pilots would get two free throws from both Clay Yeo and Matt Schauss to tie the game at 81-81 with 2:46 left, but MU would counter with five-straight points to go up 86-81 with 35 ticks left. The Pilots were able to get to within three (88-85), but Marian buried both free throw attempts late to close out the game.

Bethel was led by Matt Schauss‘ 31 points and 16 rebounds while Zach Miller added 18 points including five three-pointers.

Clay Yeo chipped in 15 points and Chris Mitchell came off the bench to add 13.

The Knights were led by Dion Smith’s 30 points and 19 rebounds.

Bethel (15-3, 3-3) hits the road to face Huntington University on Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00pm.