Lancaster Bible College men's basketball Head Coach Pete Beers has been saying for months that February was the time he hoped his team would come together and play tough, hard-nosed basketball. With February half over, Beers' hopes are becoming reality one game at a time.

Getting big baskets from upperclassmen and strong play from role players, the Chargers rolled to their fifth win in six games, beating Mount Aloysius, 73-68, Monday night at Horst Athletic Center.

Senior Carl Edwards had 18 points and five rebounds to lead LBC (11-11).

"Carl Edwards is a man," Beers said. "He has been playing big for us and we could not ask for any better from him."

With their parents visiting from Wisconsin, all three Keltner brothers scored in double figures. Kevin Keltner had 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Keith Keltner added 11 points and four rebounds. Oldest brother Kyle Keltner had one of his strongest games of the season according to Beers, chipping in with 10 points and six rebounds.

"Kevin controlled the game again for us," Beers said. "The shot he made towards the end to put us up by two (62-60) was set up by pure athleticism."

Beers is also happy with the way freshman Keith has progressed throughout the year.

"Keith has had his struggles this year, but at the end he was so clutch in hitting his free throws," Beers said.

LBC led 41-37 at halftime and came out strong both offensively and defensively, taking a 52-39 lead with 14:00 to go. The Mounties (13-9) found their shooting touch again however and went on their own 15-4 run over the next seven minutes, cutting the LBC lead to two, 56-54.

The teams traded shots, with the Mounties completing the comeback and tying the score at 60-60. Kevin Keltner's athletic shot in the paint, followed by brother Kyle's three-pointer put the Chargers back in front by five.

"I thought even though we were out rebounded, we controlled play in the paint and the play inside," Beers said.

LBC made their free throws at the end and held off one last Mountie charge.

"Our defense won us the game tonight," Beers said. "We did not give them any easy first shots and they were all contested."

Another reason the win was special was the fact that Mount Aloysius beat the Chargers 83-68 just over a month ago in Cresson, Pa.

"We beat a very good team tonight," Beers said. "We made them play our style and gave a great effort for 40 minutes."

With the team coming together, Beers and the rest of the Charger team are looking forward to Wednesday night when they look to avenge another loss, this time against NCCAA East Region rival Valley Forge Christian.

"Wednesday night is another big test for us," Beers said.

Valley Forge Christian defeated the Chargers in Lancaster on January 26, winning 82-72. Since then, LBC has only lost once.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Notes:
-This is the latest LBC has been at the .500 mark since the 2006-07 season when they went to the NCCAA National Tournament in Oklahoma.

-With the win Monday night, the Chargers have surpassed their 2008-09 win total.

-LBC turned the ball over a season-low 10 times.

-The Mounties shot just 3-of-20 from beyond the arc.