Late Rally Not Enough Against No. 19 Bethel in CL Quarterfinals

Crossroads League Championships Central

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – A late run was not enough for Taylor to overcome a 25-point second-half deficit against No. 19 Bethel in an 84-73 defeat on the road in the Crossroads League quarterfinals.  

Trailing by 25 with just over five minutes left in the game, the Trojans went on a 17-1 run in under four minutes to cut the deficit to single digits for the first time in the second half. A trio of missed opportunities at the hoop ended any hope of completely the comeback as the Pilots hit three free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.  

Izaiah Day and Nathan Baker were the catalysts for the late rally combining for 15 points, three assists, two rebounds, and a steal during the impressive run. Day was the offensive engine for Taylor all night scoring a game-high 24 nights while knocking down six three pointers. Baker produced across the board with ten points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals off the bench.

The Trojans found themselves in such a hole despite beginning the game brightly, scoring on four of its first five possessions and holding a 12-11 lead just over four minutes into the action.

Both offenses cooled after the hot start until the Pilots built a 22-16 lead after a pair of layups by Austin Cripe.

Day and Anthony McGhee hit back-to-back triples to knot the game at 22 before Pete Combs added a bucket for a two-point advantage just over the midway point of the opening half. Combs finished the night with nine points and five rebounds, while McGhee tallied seven points and an assist. 

The home squad rattled off a 12-1 run to take the momentum and held onto it as the teams went to the locker room with Bethel (23-6) leading 42-31.

The Pilots carried the momentum into the second half and quickly built a huge lead, which they sustained until the final five minutes of the contest.

TU was outclassed on the glass, with Bethel holding a 49-32 advantage on the boards. The season-long struggles at the free throw line continued for Taylor as it shot 14-27, just over fifty percent.

Taylor (19-10) now awaits the NAIA Selection Show on Thursday, March 5th, to find out whether the Trojans will receive an at-large bid to the national tournament.