Heading into their final game of the regular season the Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team simply wanted to keep the momentum they had earned last week with a close loss at Valley Forge Christian and a home win against Valley Forge Military College.

Not only did they keep the momentum after facing Trinity (D.C) University, they earned even more. Emily Lloyd led a balanced Chargers' attack as LBC outlasted the Tigers, 54-45.

Trailing 27-26 at halftime, the coaching staff used the 15-minute break to remind the team of their goals heading into the game.

"We reminded the team about finishing out the season strong and keeping our momentum heading into Thrusday," Chargers' Assistant Coach Adam Surguine said.

Thursday, LBC will head to Phoenixville, Pa. to take on Valley Forge Christian in the NCCAA East Region Semi-Final.

After taking a 13-6 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, the Chargers fell victim to something that has plagued them all season long - a long run by the other team. The Tigers went on a 19-5 run in the next 6:30 and took a seven point lead. However, instead of letting the lead get larger and facing a large halftime deficit, the Chargers called timeout and calmed themselves down.

"That timeout was huge," Surguine said. "We settled ourselves and the players really led the timeout. The maturity of the team really came through in that one timeout."

LBC allowed two more points the rest of the half and was down one at half, rather than 10. The teams exchanged points back and forth for much of the second half. With LBC clinging to a two point lead [46-44] with 1:15 remaining and the shot clock winding down, freshman Lauren Heliger hit the team's only three-pointer of the game as the shot clock expired.

The Tigers (6-9) did not record another field goal and the Chargers never looked back.

"Playing as individuals did not work for much of the season," Surguine said. "We are playing as a unit now and we have played three straight good games."

Surguine and other Assistant Coach Jocelyn Abel were impressed by many of the players doing the little things to prepel the team to victory.

"Brittney Becker's scrappy defense was huge tonight, as was Vanessa Clemenson," Abel said. "Emily Lloyd played one of her better games of the year."

Clemenson had a season high five assists to go along with her seven rebounds. Becker had seven rebounds and two assists.

While the win was nice, Surguine, Abel and the rest of the Chargers know that their 29.8 shooting percentage and 29 turnovers will not get the job done on Thursday.

"We have to keep fixing the little things and we will be OK," Surguine said.

With the team playing its best basketball of the season, the coaching staff can sense the players' confidence building.

"Instead of thinking bad thoughts or letting things get to us, we are thinking that we have a good chance on Thursday," Surguine said. "We believe in ourselves."

Thursday's semi-final is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m.

Notes:
-Heliger was the only Charger to attempt a three-pointer all night. She was 1-of-6.

-LBC held a 47-38 edge on the boards.

-LBC is 0-2 this season against Valley Forge Christian. They lost 59-40 in Lancaster on January 26 and fell 69-67 in double overtime last week in Phoenixville.