Having been blown out in three of the last four matchups, the Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team wanted to prove to themselves and Valley Forge Christian that they could play with the Patriots and beat them.

Wednesday night, on Senior Night, the Chargers had a chance to do both, but settled for proving they could play with the Patriots.

Shooting just 24 percent in the second half, the Chargers slim two-point halftime lead evaporated quickly and they lost to Valley Forge Christian, 55-46. It is the Patriots fifth straight victory against LBC and their sixth in eight tries.

"We just didn't shoot very well for much of the game and after a while I think some of the ladies lost confidence in their shooting ability," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "I'm happy with our performance, we just didn't hit shots."

The Chargers' performance started in the first half when they held VFCC to just six field goals and 26 percent shooting. LBC, however did fair much better as they shot 33 percent and led by two, 21-19 at the break.

The Patriots opened the second half on a 13-3 run thanks to Amanda Compton and Shawneal McKeither who combined for 11 of the team's first 13 points in the second half. LBC quickly responded with an 11-0 run of their own over the next 4:20 to take a 35-32 lead with 8:57 to play.

The lead would not last long as the Patriots went on their own 11-0 run over the next 3:39 to take a double-digit lead for the first time.

LBC (11-14) tried to comeback, but couldn't get stops at key moments and the Patriots were 6-of-9 from the free throw line in the last 1:34 to ice the game.

One of the bright spots for the Chargers was freshman point guard Brooklyn Wilson. Wilson had 12 points and five assists and did not turn the ball over once. She has just 13 turnovers in her last six games.

"She played very well tonight," Helsel said of Wilson. "She gave us great production over her 37 minutes and for a freshman point guard not to have any turnovers in a game like that is amazing."

Helsel was also proud of his seniors, Lacy McClaine, Nicole Karschner and Vanessa Clemenson  who were honored prior to the game.

"I thought the seniors played pretty well, they just didn't shoot very well," Helsel said. "They will respond and help the team over the next week."

In that week, the Chargers will prepare for Philadelphia Biblical University who they will face in the NCCAA East Region Semi-Final, Thursday at 8 p.m. at Horst Athletic Center.

The Chargers have defeated PBU twice this season. LBC beat PBU, 51-35 on January 11 in Lancaster and 63-41 in Langhorne on December 11.

Notes:
-McClaine was held to single-digit scoring for just the 7th time this season. She finished with six points. It was also McClaine's 100th game in a Chargers uniform.

-Fellow senior, Karschner, finished with 10 points. She tied Kim Provenzano for the most games played all-time for an LBC women's basketball player with 103.