MOUNT VERNON, OHIO – The Bethel College men’s basketball team came up on the short end of an 87-74 final at Mount Vernon Saturday afternoon.

The hosts used a 17-0 run early to take a 19-6 lead in the Crossroads League contest. The Pilots cut the lead to seven before another 7-0 run made it 33-18.

Mount Vernon closed the opening half with another strong push to lead 42-28 at intermission.

The Pilots could get no closer than eight points in the final half.

Chris Mitchell tossed in 21 points to pace the Pilots.

Sophomore Clay Yeo scored 18 points for Bethel in the league loss. Matt Schauss and Zach Miller each had 10 points.

Bethel shot just 25-64 from the field, including 9-23 from 3-point land. The hosts were 29-56 from the field, which included 8-19 from distance.

The Pilots drop to 23-5 overall and 11-5 in conference play. Mount Vernon improves to 16-12 overall and 7-9 in league action.

Bethel will host league foe Taylor Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Mishawaka. The team will honor seniors Schauss and Miller.