They say one of the hardest things for a team to do is beat another team three times in one season. The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team found out just how hard that is on Thursday night against Philadelphia Biblical University.

Nicole Karschner's three-point play with 57 seconds to play propelled the Chargers over PBU, 48-45 as LBC secured a berth in the NCCAA East Region Final. Brooklyn Wilson found Karschner at the top of the paint and Karschner was fouled as she shot. The ball went through the hoop and Karschner sunk the free throw to put LBC ahead, 45-42.

Prior to LBC's late game heroics, PBU led 24-17 at halftime and looked prime to upset the Chargers. LBC (12-14) shot just 29 percent in the first half and was 0-for-3 from beyond the arc.

"I was fine with the score at halftime," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "It looked ugly, but we held them to 24 points. I was pretty sure we weren't going to shoot that poorly in the second half too."

Helsel was right. They didn't blow the doors off the gym, but their 36 percent (10-of-28) shooting was enough as they combined that with 11-of-17 shooting to outscore the Crimson Eagles, 31-21 in the second half.

"We've been winning ugly lately," Helsel said. "We stayed with the game plan the entire time and I think we won because we stayed positive throughout the game."

After Karschner's three-point play, the Crimson Eagles went down the floor and missed a layup, but grabbed the rebound. With 35 seconds to play however, they turned the ball over and were forced to foul. Lauren Heliger made one of two free throws with 33 seconds to play to give LBC a 46-42 lead.

PBU's Sara Poole cut the lead in half with a jumper with 22 seconds left. LBC Vanessa Clemenson was fouled two seconds later and drained both her free throws to give the Chargers a 48-44 lead. The Crimson Eagles could not get another shot off, but a Heliger foul with 0.3 seconds remaining gave PBU one last glimmer of hope.

Hannah McCardle made her first free throw to cut the lead to three, but after trying to miss the second one, no one could control the rebound and the Chargers were headed to the East Region Final for the first time in the 2008-09 season.

"It's nice to win when your leading scorer doesn't score," Helsel said.

Helsel is referring to Lacy McClaine who was held pointless for the first time all season. She did however have eight rebounds and an assist.

When asked if he was worried about the Chargers' slow start, Helsel said the team was prepared, but just came out a little nervous.

"We knew about their 2-3 zone and we practiced well all week with it, but they came out with nothing to lose and we came out a little tight," Helsel said.

With the win, LBC will face top-seeded Valley Forge Christian College on Saturday afternoon in Phoenixville, Pa.

"We are excited for the opportunity," Helsel said. "We haven't fared well there recently, but the baskets are 10 feet off the floor there too and we just need to be able to adjust to the atmosphere and play our game."

Tip-off for Saturday's East Region Final is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Notes:
-Wilson had 12 points and three assists for LBC.

-LBC now has 12 wins, the most since the 2004-05 season when they won 13 games.

-PBU finishes their season with a 2-24 record.

-Karschner played in her 104th career game, passing Kim Provenzano for the most all-time for a women's basketball player at LBC.