The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team opened its season in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. Someone forgot to tell Eastern Mennonite's players they're supposed to be tired at that time of day.

The Runnin Royals tied a team record with 21 steals and cruised to a 96-53 win over the visiting Chargers.
Sophomore Madison Warfel had 20 points and six rebounds to lead LBC (0-1).

"They blitzed us early and we simply couldn't handle their press," Charger Head Coach Pete Beers said.

Charger senior Carl Edwards had 14 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of action, while Eric Nulf and Kyle Keltner each added five points.

"The pressure we faced last night from their defense is something we can't replicate in practice," Beers said. "I think this game will help us to push ourselves in practice which will ultimately help us as a team."

Beers said he was pleased with how the Chargers responded after being down 56-19 at halftime.

"We did some good things in the second half," Beers said. "We shot the ball better and forced them into some mistakes."

The Chargers had 36 turnovers, but out-rebounded the Runnin Royals 40-36.

"We played hard until the very end and in the first game of the season, that's what we are looking for as coaches and players," Beers said. "Players and coaches alike will be better because of this game."

LBC will open the home portion of their schedule on Wednesday when they host Elizabethtown at 7:00 p.m.

Notes:
-Because of the 12:00 a.m. start time, EMU and LBC were the first two Division III teams to play a regular season basketball game for the 2009-10 season.

-EMU's Todd Phillips lead the Runnin Royals with 17 points.

-EMU shot 55 percent from the field, while LBC shot 35 percent.