(photo courtesy Bethel University Athletics)

(Winona Lake) — NorthWood alum Trent Edwards buried two free throws with five seconds left as 10th-ranked Bethel edged #16 Grace, 75-74, Saturday afternoon.

It’s Bethel’s first win on their archrival’s home floor since 2018. More importantly for coach Steve Drabyn, it raises the Pilots’ mark to 7-0 in Crossroads League action.

The 145th meeting on the hardwood between the two schools was controlled by Grace in the early going, as the Lancers took a 30-18 lead on a Justin DeGraaf three midway through the stanza.  Bethel responded with a 14-2 run sparked by Al Peciulis and Austin Cripe, cutting the deficit to two. Ian Raasch swished home three of his 17 first-half points to put Grace up 43-38 at the break.

The Lancer lead ballooned to ten in the second half, before Luke McBride scored eight straight to key a 26-6 Bethel run.  With the Pilots now up ten, it was time for Grace to respond. Ian Scott sizzled, scoring 20 of his game-high 30 points in the second half to lead the comeback. Scott hit a jumper with 11 seconds left to give the Lancers a 75-74 lead, setting the stage for Edwards’ game-winning free throws.

Bethel is now 14-3 overall, while Grace falls to 13-4 (5-2 in conf.). The two schools will meet again February 15 in Mishawaka.