MISHAWAKA, Ind. - The first 15 minutes between Goshen and Bethel was an offensive affair, but the Pilots began to take control at the end of the first half. The defenses settled in during the second, but Bethel pulled out an 86-70 victory in the first of two U.S. Highway 20 Cup games between the teams this season.

The Maple Leafs held multiple four-point leads and were tied as late as 31-31. But from that point, Bethel erupted for a 17-3 run to go up by 14 points. In the second half, Goshen had pulled back in to cut the deficit to six, but the Pilots responded with a 9-0 run to bump their lead to 15 and controlled for the rest of the game, winning by 16.

The Pilots improve to 13-6 this season and 5-4 in the Crossroads League. Nathan Aerts led the Pilots with 29 points and nine rebounds. Goshen was led by Judah Simfukwe with 20 points - six coming from three pointers and another eight from free-throws. The 20 points are a season-high from Simfukwe this year. Elias Ramirez scored 17 - he has scored in double digits in 16 of the 18 games he has played in this year.

The Maple Leafs are at #7 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday, January 18, at 7:00 pm. Then they face Bethel at home on Saturday, January 21, at 3:00 pm. Bethel currently leads this season's U.S. Highway 20 Cup series 5.0-3.0.