MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Coming off consecutive losses and a two-week break, the Bethel College Lady Pilots traveled to Mount Vernon Tuesday and came away with a hard fought Mid-Central College Conference victory, 56-48.

Neither team shot the ball very well in the opening minutes of the game, but Bethel junior Kristen Hicks did have her touch, splashing in three of four rainmakers from three point land to lead the Lady Pilots with 12 of BC’s 20 first half points. However, a last second trifecta by MVNU’s Melissa Eikholt gave the host Cougars the lead at the break, 21-20.

Mount Vernon jumped out early in the second half and grabbed their biggest lead of the game when they led 31-26 but Bethel charged back quickly as Hicks continued to work her magic with another deep three, followed by a steal and three pointer by Laura Johnson. Johnson, Bethel’s leading scorer on the season was held scoreless in the first half but heated up after the intermission, scoring 15 points in the second half to tie Hicks for game-high honors. The inspired second half play of Niles’ Baysia Cox was also pivotal as the 6-3 junior center scored all 10 of her points after the break.

The real difference maker on this night though was the defense of the Lady Pilots, who forced 17 turnovers and held the Cougars to a measly 25 percent shooting from the floor (15-60), including just 2-18 from behind the arc. Bethel struggled from the free-throw line (11-23) but canned 11 of 25 three pointers on the evening.

“It was great to see the effort of all 12 players on the defensive end tonight. We didn’t do so well with ball control in the first half but at least we countered it with great intensity on defense,” Bethel Coach Jody Martinez said. “Kristen Hicks did a great job of keeping us in the game in the first half with her shooting and in the second half, Laura found some openings to get her shot going and Baysia did a good job of playing strong in the post.

“Overall, to win at Mount Vernon is a great accomplishment. Teams will have a tough time playing in that gym against a very competitive Mount Vernon Nazarene team.”

The win moves 10th-ranked Bethel’s Mid Central College Conference record to 4-0 and 12-3 overall. The Lady Pilots next action will be Thursday when they travel to Saint Francis for another key MCC matchup.