Bethel College punches ticket to NAIA Sweet 16

The Bethel University men's basketball team will continue dancing in March.

The host Pilots got phenomenal play from its bench Saturday to down Morningside University (Iowa) 93-84 in a second-round matchup of the NAIA National Tournament in Mishawaka.

Jameir Jefferson poured in 23 points to lead the way as coach Steve Drabyn's squad earned a spot in the Sweet 16 in Kansas City March 20-25.

The No. 14 Pilots, who lost in the second round last year, improved to 24-8. Morningside closes at 25-8.

Bethel, a No. 4 seed, outscored fifth-seeded Morningside 64-8 in bench points to earn the win. Sophomore guard Jefferson hit 8-of-12 shots, including 4-of-5 from 3-point land.

Redshirt sophomore guard Colin Comer and 6-8 sophomore center Beau Jacquay each scored 19 points off the bench for the Pilots. Comer hit four treys and Jacquay was 9-of-10 from the field.

A pair of former area prep standouts in graduate students Preston Phillips and Trent Edwards were also key for Bethel. Phillips, who played at Jimtown, had 12 points and NorthWood High School product Edwards added 10 points.

Bethel led by a 43-39 count at halftime. The Pilots shot 35-of-71 overall from the field, including 11-of-24 from distance. They were 12-of-21 from the free throw line and had a 21-7 edge in second chance points.

Joey Skoff tossed in 30 points to pace Morningside. They shot 31-of-54 overall from the field, including 10-of-20 from deep. They were 12-of-13 from the line.

Bethel graduate senior Trent Edwards makes a layup during an NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament first round game against Peru State Friday, March 14, 2025, at Bethel University in Mishawaka.

Pilots power past Peru State

Bethel used balance and its bench play to down Peru State (Nebraska) 83-69 in a first round contest Friday afternoon.

The Pilots built a 36-26 halftime lead en route to the convincing win.

Luke McBride led the way with 15 points. Edwards scored 13 points, while James Anderson chipped in with 12 and Comer added 11.

Bethel got 29 bench points in the win, led by Comer and Anderson. The Pilots shot 29-of-60 overall from the field, including 7-of-18 from distance.

Carlos Hines scored 22 points and Chris Peoples had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead Peru State, which finished at 22-9.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Strong play from its bench carried Bethel to NAIA tourney win Saturday

Topics

KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from semis at Rupp Arena

Here are the results and highlights from Saturday's semifinals of the KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Pitt State Women’s Basketball punches ticket to NCAA D-II Sweet 16 with win over Minnesota State Mankato 94-91

PITTSBURG, KS — The Pitt State Gorillas entered the evening coming off of a first round NCAA D-II Central Region Tournament win over Harding University. Karenna Gerber posted 29 points and 11 ...
Yahoo Sports - 3h
KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from quarterfinals at Rupp

Here are the results and highlights from Friday's quarterfinals of the KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington
Yahoo Sports - 1d
KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from 2nd day at Rupp Arena

Here are results and highlights from Thursday's first round of the KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Class L girls basketball: Northwest Catholic beats Bethel for its third straight title

UNCASVILLE – The top-seeded Northwest Catholic girls basketball team won its third straight state championship, this time in Class L, with a 56-40 victory over No. 2 seed Bethel Saturday night at ...
Yahoo Sports - 7h
Warrior women's hoops team advances in NAIA Tournament

Mar. 15—Minutes after beating 11th-seeded Columbia (Mo.) in the first round of the women's basketball NAIA Tournament, the live stream captured the sixth-seeded Lewis-Clark State Warriors gathered ...
Yahoo Sports - 19h
Allegheny women's basketball set for ECAC championship Saturday

The Allegheny College women’s basketball team is one game away from a championship. The Gators punched their ticket to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championship ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Jimmies women's hoops preparing to take on Georgetown in NAIA tourney

Mar. 14—GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The University of Jamestown women's basketball team's season will continue for at least one more day after they got an at-large bid in the 2025 NAIA Women's Basketball ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Massive late charge falls short for DWU men in California, ending season in NAIA tourney

Mar. 15—SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Down 22 points with less than 10 minutes left, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team was in the toughest hole of the season. And the 14th-seeded ...
Yahoo Sports - 17h

Bethel College punches ticket to NAIA Sweet 16

Pilots power past Peru State

Topics

Related

KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from semis at Rupp Arena

Pitt State Women’s Basketball punches ticket to NCAA D-II Sweet 16 with win over Minnesota State Mankato 94-91

KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from quarterfinals at Rupp

KHSAA Sweet 16 girls basketball tournament results, highlights from 2nd day at Rupp Arena

Class L girls basketball: Northwest Catholic beats Bethel for its third straight title

Warrior women's hoops team advances in NAIA Tournament

Allegheny women's basketball set for ECAC championship Saturday

Jimmies women's hoops preparing to take on Georgetown in NAIA tourney

Massive late charge falls short for DWU men in California, ending season in NAIA tourney

More from Yahoo Sports

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen in chaotic Australian GP finish

Arsenal vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news

Seahawks sign former Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles

More in Sports

Men's Bracketology: The Mountain West will see four teams -- for now

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Murray State and Belmont play for MVC Championship

Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen in chaotic Australian GP finish

Arsenal vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news