1992 Championship

1992 NCCAA National Championship Game at Indiana Wesleyan Marion, Indiana

Bethel 80, The Masters (CA) 77

The first of Bethel’s NCCAA national championships was a precursor in style and substance of the future success this program would have. The game gave Pilots’ fans a glimpse of the future of Bethel basketball, at the same time attaining a goal sought after for more than 20 years.

Brian Bechtel, who led the Pilots with 22, finished the first half with a 3-point bomb that gave Coach Mike Lightfoot’s squad the lead at intermission, 36-33.

It was a slim lead that Bethel never gave up.

Against a Masters’ squad that featured several D-I transfers, freshman Mark Galloway’s jumper with 2:15 left gave the Pilots an 11-point cushion, 73-62. The Masters’ roared back, however, and had two chances to tie the game in the final :05.

Bechtel’s 22 led the way for Bethel. Galloway added 14, while classmate Jody Goralski tallied 10. Tournament MVP Dave Troyer capped a wonderful season with nine points.

Bethel was seeded fourth in the eight-team field and beat fifth seeded Western Baptist (OR), 98-83, in the first round, despite trailing by 12 at half-time. Goralski scored 25 and grabbed 16 boards in the contest.

In the semi-finals, top-seeded Cedarville (OH) was beaten, 114-101. Troyer’s two free throws with 2:17 left gave Bethel a 17-point bulge, 106-89. Troyer paced the attack with 33, while Goralski poured in 25. Galloway netted 25, while senior Robby Prenkert chipped in a dozen.

The title would be the first of a great run of three national crowns in four years for the Class of 1995. In the meantime, the Class of 1992 helped put to rest the bad memories of past NCCAA National tournaments. This was the Pilots’ sixth straight and 12th trip overall to the NCCAA Nationals. This time, they came away with the big trophy and the banner.

BETHEL (80): Prenkert 7, Troyer 9, Goralski 10, Chrobot 8, Bechtel 22, Fish 6, Galloway 14, Lorton 4. MASTERS (77): Webster 24, Bruner 10, Bryant 11, Humphrey 5, Greer 10, Minnoy 2, Farrell 0, Sanson 9, Epperson 6, Hahs 0. Half-time Bethel 36, Masters 33. Three-Point Goals: Bethel 11, Masters 6.

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