The Pilots held the nation’s top shooting team to 37.3 percent from the field (25-of-67) and 19 percent from beyond the arc (4-of-21) erasing USF’s seven-game win streak. Bethel managed just 39 percent from the floor (23-of-59) and 9-of-28 from three-point range (32 percent).

Bethel (27-5) started the contest ice cold hitting just 3-of-14 from the field as the hosts ran out to a quick seven-point lead (13-6) in the first five minutes of action. Saint Francis (25-7) would hold a 21-14 advantage with 8:40 remaining in the opening half before a 8-0 Pilot run featuring back-to-back three-pointers from Clay Yeo and Matt Schauss to give Bethel a 22-21 lead.

The Cougars rallied in the final four minutes closing out the half with eight of the final 10 points take a 29-24 lead.

The second half began with a scary scene as senior Matt Schauss took a hard fall as play was stopped. He walked off the floor assisted and would not return.

That’s when Oetjen began the spark plug.

The 6’0 sophomore scored 11 of Bethel’s next 13 points quickly followed up by a Yeo three capping off a 12-0 run to push the Pilots up 44-36 with 13:12 remaining.

Bethel continued to hold an eight-point lead after two free throws from Travis Smith to keep BC ahead 52-44 until Saint Francis scored five unanswered to climb to within three (53-50). With the Pilots up 58-52 and 5:22 showing on the clock the Cougars would score the next seven to reclaim the lead at 59-58.

On the ensuing Pilot possession Chris Mitchell’s triple was off the mark, but hauled down by Oetjen who found Gage Ott under the hoop to give Bethel a 60-59 lead with 2:28 left.

Both teams would come up empty-handed on their next possession as Bethel still held a one-point lead with just over a minute remaining.

Saint Francis would work the ball around and find All-Conference First Teamer Austin Fox who scored with under a minute to go to take a 61-60 lead.

After a Bethel timeout the Pilots put the ball into the hands of  Yeo whose stepback jumper from 17 feet found nothing but net with 37 seconds left and would ultimately be the game-winner.

Saint Francis would come up empty handed on two different occasions in the closing seconds placing Bethel in the league finals for a third-straight season.

Sophomore Yeo, the former Triton High School star, paved the way for the Pilots scoring 20 points to go along with six rebounds. Oetjen would chip in five rebounds, three steals and three assists in the winning effort while Chris Mitchell and Zach Miller added seven points, respectively.  Mitchell would also pull down a team-high eight rebounds. Schauss would finish with 10 points in 19 minutes of action.

The win earns Bethel another trip to Marion where they will face the nation’s No. 1 ranked team in Indiana Wesleyan on Tuesday at 7 p.m.  The Pilots and Wildcats split during the regular-season with each team winning on the road.