For all of the games this season that the Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team did not bring their best effort or came away thinking they could have played better, Thursday night at Horst Athletic Center they finally put it all together - and it still was not enough.
Penn State-York fought off a late Chargers' run and held on to defeat LBC 64-59. The Lady Lions improve to 8-7 on the year, while the Chargers fell to 2-14.
"Tonight was the best 40 minutes of basketball we have played since Christmas Break," Charger Head Coach Bob Shannon said.
Christine Maher had her best game of the season, scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
"Christine played well tonight," Shannon said. "Just a good, solid overall game."
Lacy McClaine helped start the late run for the Chargers, knocking down consecutive three-pointers.
"Lacy's three's helped us get back into the game and she played well for us," Shannon said.
Lauren Heliger continued her solid play with 11 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Kelsee McLaughlin provided a spark off the bench for LBC as well.
"Kelsee gave us good energy off the bench tonight," Shannon said.
LBC shot 43.6% (24-of-55) from the field, one of their better performances of the season.
"I was encouraged by our shot selection from the field, it was definately our best of the season," Shannon said.
Despite playing better, Shannon said there are still things to address before their next game on Saturday.
"We did not do a good job boxing them out and allowed too many offensive rebounds for Penn State," Shannon said. "Our free-throw shooting has to improve as well. It was one our strengths earlier this season and we have to get back to that."
LBC hosts St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
Notes:
-Penn State-York defetead LBC 43-34 on November 17.
-The Lady Lions shot 41.3% from the field.
-Both teams struggled from the free-throw line - PSU-York was 9-for-19, while LBC was 8-for-17.
-The Chargers had 24 turnovers, while the Lady Lions turned the ball over 25 times.
-Each team made the same amount of field goals in each half. The Lady Lions made 13 shots each half, while the Chargers made 12 each half.