The Bethel College men’s basketball team had one of its better games this season Friday at Peru State.
There was just one Hitch — Peru State’s Jovan Hitch, who scored 39 points to lead Peru State to a 78-73 win over the Threshers in the Peru State Classic.
Hitch hit 14 of 19 from the field, including two of two from 3-point range. He hit nine of 11 free throws, including six in the final 21 second to give PSU the win.
Brody Grove hit a shot with 30 seconds left to put Bethel up 73-72. Hitch was fouled nine seconds later, scoring both free throws. Hitch was fouled on a defensive rebound with 11 seconds left, hitting two more free throws. After a BC turnover with three seconds left, Hitch was fouled and hit two free throws with one second left on the clock, putting the game away.
PSC led 33-31 at the half.
Bethel had 21 turnovers and was outrebounded 33-25. The Threshers had one of their best shooting nights of the season, hitting 25 of 48 from the field and five of 11 from 3-point range.
Reece Schwartz added 11 points for Peru State, 3-8.
Bethel was led by Brody Grove and Ri’Tea Acosta with 17 points each. Nathan Yunker and Justin Schneider scored 10 points each.
Bethel falls to 1-5 and plays York at 2 p.m. today to close out the classic.
BETHEL (1-5) — Gingerich 1-3 1-1 3, Bumgarner 0-0 0-0 0, Watson 2-8 2-2 7, Grove 7-9 2-4 17, Sullivan 1-4 2-2 4, Baldia 1-2 0-0 2, Acosta 6-9 3-6 17, Cummins 0-0 0-0 0, Benton 0-0 0-0 0, Yunker 2-4 6-7 10, Schneider 4-6 1-1 10, Pitts 1-3 1-5 3, TOTALS 25-48 18-28 73.
PERU STATE (3-8) — Blaylock 1-5 0-0 2, Burks 0-2 0-0 0, Williams 2-8 4-7 8, Hitch 14-19 9-11 39, Drommond 1-5 3-4 6, Santo 1-2 0-0 2, Kelly 3-8 2-5 8, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Schaben 0-0 0-1 0, Cole 1-2 0-2 2, Schwartz 5-6 0-2 11, TOTALS 28-57 16-28 78.
Bethel 31 42 —73
Peru St. 33 45 —78
Total fouls — BC 26, PS 28. Fouled out — PS: Burks. 3-point shooting — BC 5-11 (Gingerich 0-1, Watson 1-3, Grove 1-2, Sullivan 0-1, Acosta 2-3, Schneider 1-1), PS 6-13 (Blaylock 0-1, Hitch 2-2, Drommond 1-3, Kelly 2-5, Cole 0-1, Schwartz 1-1). Rebounds — BC 25 (Yunker 5), PS 33 (Santo 7). Assists — BC 1 (Watson 1), PS 7 (Williams 2, Santo 2). Turnovers — BC 21, PS 12. Blocked shots — BC 2, PS 1. Steals — BC 9, PS 9.
