MISHAWAKA, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) battled on the road Wednesday, February 4, but fell to No. 10 Bethel University by a final score of 101–85 in a midweek Crossroads League matchup.

The Cougars and Pilots battled in the opening minutes of the game, but the Pilots pulled ahead for a 55-38 lead at halftime.

Saint Francis improved offensively in the second half, scoring 47 points after the break. Bethel was able to hang on to win Wednesday night's game to improve to 10-3 in league play.

The Cougars shot 53% (35-66) from the field and 36.8% (7-19) from three-point range. Jevon Lewis led Saint Francis with 21 points, three assists and two steals. Malachi King added 19 points and six rebounds, while Marr Avance chipped in 14 points. Karson Rogers contributed eight points, 11 boards and a block. 

Saint Francis finished with 31 total rebounds and 16 assists as a team, but Bethel used strong three-point shooting and a rebounding advantage to pull away.

Up next, the Cougars (8-14, 3-10 CL) will host Goshen College for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff inside the Hutzell Athletic Center on Saturday, February 7. The first time these two teams met this season, Saint Francis beat Goshen 105-84.

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Leadership and Business; Nursing; and  Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.