POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Former Warsaw Tiger Jordyn Kindig scored seven points in the first three minutes of the game, and ex-Tippecanoe Valley Viking Nick Kindig dropped a three-pointer in Bethel’s opening 12-0 run to lead the Pilots to an easy 104-71 win over Eastern Oregon in the second round of the NAIA Division II Tournament Friday evening. From the opening run the Pilots took a 60-31 lead by halftime and cruised from there. Caleb Oetjen and Triton alum Clay Yeo tied for team-high honors with 16 points each. Coon had 14 points, Gate Ott and Luke Fisher 12 points each, and Paul Foreman added 11 points. Freshman and former Manchester Squire Chase Fierstos played two minutes and recorded his first career national tournament bucket for two points. Ex-Triton Trojan Tanner Shepherd didn’t score in six minutes of action. Bryan McGriff scored a game-high 29 points for Eastern Oregon (24-8). Bethel made 56 percent of its shots in the contest, and outrebounded Eastern Oregon 46-30. The teams combined for 57 free throws, with the Pilots converting 19 of 24 from the charity stripe. Bethel (30-4) moves into today’s quarterfinal round where they face Bellevue (Neb.). The Bruins (28-7) defeated York (Neb.) 78-76 Friday afternoon. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Eastern time.
