Pilots coast past RedStorm men

Rio Grande Sports Information
     WINONA LAKES, Ind. - Bethel University used a blistering shooting touch to grab a commanding first half lead and the Pilots never looked back, cruising to a 92-66 season-opening win over the University of Rio Grande, Friday night, as part of the Grace College Lancer Tipoff Classic at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
     Bethel shot just over 65 percent from the floor (17-for-26) over the game's first 20 minutes and led by as many as 14 points before settling on a 50-39 advantage at the intermission.
     Rio Grande got no closer the rest of the night and trailed by as many as 28 points, 79-51, following a layup by Bethel's Trent Edwards with 6:54 left in the contest.
     The Pilots finished the night by hitting 33 of their 59 field goal attempts overall (55.9%), while also outscoring the RedStorm 21-10 at the foul line and enjoying a 41-34 edge in rebounding.
     Edwards led five Bethel players in double figures with 19 points, while Luke Mcbride netted 14 points, Colin Comer had 13, Alonas Peciulis tossed in 13 points and Jameir Jefferson totaled 10 points.
     Edwards also had four assists in the winning effort, while Preston Phillips had 10 rebounds and Beau Jacquay was credited with four steals.
     Rio Grande connected on 36.5 percent of its shots overall (23-for-63), including a 10-for-26 showing from three-point range (38.5%).
     Redshirt junior Jaelin Johnson (Fairmont, WV) led a quartet of double-digit scorers for the RedStorm with 16 points, while senior Eric Butler (Orlando, FL) had 13 points, junior Jaylin Fox (South Haven, MI) netted 12 and freshman Bransyn Copas (Seaman, OH)finished with 10.
     Junior Keylane Lasisi (Paris, France) pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds in a losing cause, while senior Eythan House (Montrose, Australia) had four assists and Fox added a pair of steals.
     Rio Grande returns to action Saturday afternoon when it faces No. 8 Grace.
     Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.