Kevin Keltner had a game-high 25 points to lead four Lancaster Bible College players in double figures as the Chargers defeated Philadelphia Biblical University, 87-75 and earned a berth in the NCCAA East Region Final on Saturday.

Keltner was 9-of-18 from the field and had eight assists and six rebounds as well to lead the Chargers past the Crimson Eagles for the sixth straight time.

"Kevin was just amazing tonight," Chargers' Head Coach Pete Beers said. "We liked Kevin's matchup at the point guard position and he took advantage of it."

The Crimson Eagles entered the game without a win this season, but played arguably one of their best games of the season against LBC on December 11. They lost, 108-96 in double overtime and were equally as feisty on Thursday night.

PBU's Claude Chalk and Adam Derus had 25 of the team's 40 first half points to help the Crimson Eagles head into the locker room tied at 40-40 with LBC.

"We had a game plan and unfortunately, it took us a little too long to get some things working in the first half," Beers said about LBC's first half play. "I didn't think we played badly, just not as efficiently as we had talked about."

The Chargers' play improved quickly in the second half as they used a 14-4 run in the first 3:24 of the second half to take a 10-point lead. The main part of that run took 1:26 when the Chargers hit four straight 3-point field goals. Keltner and Eric Nulf had 3-point buckets bookended by two Kody Koser 3-pointers and the Chargers were off and running.

"That stretch really gave us life and sort of crushed their spirits," Beers said.

PBU cut the lead to five at 62-57 with 10:59 to play, but LBC went on an 11-1 run over the next 6:06 to take a 15-point lead and all-but clinch the victory.

Erich Graybill had 16 points and four boards, while Koser also had 16 points for the Chargers.

"Getting the ball to Big E [Graybill] was the difference in the game," Beers said. "He has been playing very well for us and I thought Koser did a good job on both ends of the floor for us, he played well on Chalk."

Beers was also happy how the role players stepped up to the plate for starters that were struggling.

"I thought Brett Derr stepped up in a big way for us and played some great defense on [Adam] Derus in the second half," Beers said. "And Nulf continues to give us good minutes."

The Crimson Eagles shot 46 percent from the field, but made just 10 buckets in the second half, while the Chargers were 17-of-33 from the floor in the second half. LBC shot 45 percent from the field for the game.

LBC also outscored PBU, 30-26 in the paint and had 28 points off 20 PBU turnovers, while the Crimson Eagles scored just 10 points off 14 LBC turnovers.

The win gives the Chargers a third crack at Valley Forge Christian College this season, this time in the NCCAA East Region Final and a spot in the NCCAA National Tournament on the line. The Patriots have defeated the Chargers 11 straight times, but have won by just one point in two of the last three meetings.

"I hope we bring it," Beers said. "They are a good team and they had a great regular season, but I think this team is starting to believe in itself and we are excited for Saturday."

Notes:
-Saturday will be the fourth time in five seasons the Chargers and Patriots have squared off in the East Region Final. The Patriots are 2-1 in the previous three meetings, with LBC winning in 2007.

-Chalk led PBU with 19 points, while Derus had 16 points.

-PBU finished the season 0-25.

-Thursday was LBC's final home game of the season. They finished 6-6 at Horst Athletic Center. The Chargers were .500 (7-7) at home last season as well.

-Saturday's tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

-The last time both the men's and women's basketball teams were in the NCCAA East Region Final in the same season was 2008-09. The women played PBU, the men played Valley Forge Christian.