Gary, Ind. -- The Indiana University Northwest women's basketball team put up a fight against Bethel University at the Savannah Center Wednesday.

The Pilots (2-0) defeated the RedHawks (1-1), 93-89, Wednesday. IUN made their runs to make it close but Bethel would pull away with their runs. 

IUN led 8-6 early in the first quarter after a jumper by Sarah Martin (Demotte, Ind./Kankakee Valley). Bethel responded with a 12-2 run to go up 18-10 midway through the opening quarter.

Michaela Schmidt (Highland, Ind./Highland) ended the run after her jumpshot. The Pilots kept their foot on the gas pedal scoring the next six points to go ahead 24-12.

The RedHawks made their own run this time scoring six in a row with back-to-back jumpers by Jayla Crump (Kouts, Ind./Kouts) and a basket by Lauren Smolen (Crown Point, Ind./Lake Central) made it 24-18. Bethel closed out the quarter on a 8-4 spurt to close out the period ahead 32-22.

Back-to-back baskets Schmidt opened the second quarter which made it 32-26 in favor of the Pilots. Martin made it a four-point game after basket in the paint.

BU closed out the half outscoring IUN 6-2. The Pilots went into the halftime break ahead 51-42.

At the 4:17 mark in the third quarter Bethel led 62-52 then IUN would score five in a row to make it 62-57. Bethel pulled away again and led 70-60 then IUN made it 70-67 after Martin converted the and-one. 

The Pilots closed out the period going up five after knocking down a pair at the line. After the third quarter, BU led 72-67. 

After an opening basket by Martin opened the quarter to make it 72-69 in favor of the Pilots, Bethel went on another run, this time a 11-4 one to go back ahead by 10 points. 

Bethel led 87-77 with 5:40 left after knocking down a pair of free throws. The RedHawks scored the next eight points after Smolen knocked down a pair at the line, back-to-back baskets by Schmidt and a jumper by Martin made it 87-85 with 4:17 left in the game. 

Jessy Siems (Cedar Lake, Ind./Hanover Central) kept it a two-point game after her basket. A minute later, Ashley O'Malley (Crown Point, Ind.) made it 91-89 with 1:02 left.

The RedHawks did not score the rest of the game but Bethel knocked down a pair of free throws which sealed it. Bethel came out on top 93-89.

Schmidt led the RedHawks with 29 points on 14-21 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Martin had 19 points after shooting 9-17 from the floor.

Smolen had a near double-double, scoring eight points and pulling down 10 rebounds. O'Malley also had a double-double as well, picking up nine points and grabbing nine boards.

IUN returns to action Saturday, November 2 as the RedHawks host Kentucky Christian for Homecoming starting at noon CT.