MISHAWAKA, IN – The Spring Arbor University Cougars dropped a Crossroads League matchup to seventh ranked Bethel College on the road today in Mishawaka, IN.  The final score of 67-77 doesn't reflect how close the contest actually was as both teams shot 44% from the field, and both shot 25% from 3-point range.  The difference was from the free throw line where the Pilots made 22 of 28 (78.6%) and the Cougars sank 12 of 20 (60%) and the 10 point margin made up the difference in the game.

Tyler Hughes put in his best performance of his career pouring in 17 points and grabbing six rebounds for Spring Arbor.  Caleb Hogans put up a game high 19 points as well as hauling in eight boards to pace the Cougars and Greg Hamilton added 12 points.

Trailing by just four at the half, 26-30, the Cougars kept themselves in the ball game for the first 3:30 in the second half, but the #7 Pilots started to make their run for the game and four minutes later had stretched the lead to 12 points (49-37) with 13:43 left to play.

Over the next five minute neither team would make any head way and with 8:18 left, the Bethel lead was still 12 points, but the Cougars would make a mini-run of 11-4 and the strength of baskets made by Rob Hogans, Peter Barry, Xavier Prather, Greg Hamilton and a 3-pointer by Hogans to cut the Pilot lead to just four points, 65-61 with 4:47 remaining.

Over the next four minutes Bethel College put up seven shots, four free throws and three field goals and made them all until a missed 3-pointer with 11 seconds on the clock and the Pilots holding a 77-65 lead.  Rob Hogans connected on a field goal with seven seconds ending the scoring with Bethel College on top 77-67.

Spring Arbor drops to 5-7 and 1-2 for the season and in Crossroads League action and will head to the Southwest for the Arizona Christian University Holiday Tournament December 16-17 with games against Arizona Christian and Westmont College.  Information regarding live streaming and audio of the Arizona Tournament are unavailable right now, but check the Cougars schedule for links for those games.