The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team did something they have not done since February 2007 - defeat Valley Forge Christian College. And just like in 2007, it came in the NCCAA Division II East Region Finals.

The Chargers overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat the Patriots, 64-62 and advance to the NCCAA National Tournament in Springfield, Missouri.

"We've been coming back on teams lately and the guys are starting to believe in each other even when we are down," Chargers' Head Coach Pete Beers said.

The Chargers began the game well, connecting on four of their first eight shots to take a 10-3 lead four minutes into the game. Five minutes later however, the game was tied at 15-15.

"[Valley Forge] had a good game plan and hit a lot their shots in the first half," Beers said. "It took us a little longer then we would have liked to adjust."

The Patriots' defense clamped down after an Eric Nulf 3-pointer at the 8:06 mark and did not allow another field goal for the Chargers until there was 2:24 on the clock. In that time, they turned a 22-21 deficit into a 30-26 lead.

Donnell Davis hit a 3-pointer with eight seconds left in the first half to give the Patriots a 37-30 lead at halftime.

"37 points is too many too many to give up in the first half when you are playing Valley Forge," Beers said. "Fortunately, we came out in the second half and played much better."

LBC (13-14) played much better offensively as well, erasing the seven-point deficit by going on an 8-0 run over the first 1:58 of the second half.

After going scoreless in the first half, LBC's Kody Koser had six of the Chargers' first eight points of the second half. He finished with a game-high 17.

"Kody was huge in the second half," Beers said. "He played well on both ends of the floor."

The teams traded baskets over the next nine minutes with the Patriots clinging to a 51-50 with 9:29 to play. The Patriots' defense once again locked in and held LBC without a point for three minutes and took a 56-50 lead on a 3-pointer by Isaac Ransom with 8:28 to play.

A Koser layup with 6:25 to play cut the lead to 56-52. Two Kevin Keltner free throws and another layup by Koser tied the game at 56-56 with 5:20 to play. Keltner pulled up in the paint a minute later and drained a jumper to put LBC ahead, 58-56.

"Kevin was clutch for us tonight and I thought his court presence was great," Beers said.

After the Patriots' Justin Kinsey tied the game at 58-58, LBC's Madison Warfel drained a 3-pointer with 1:29 to go to give the Chargers a 61-58 lead.

Valley Forge Christian's Lance Harris cut the lead to one, 61-60, with 59 seconds to go and the wildness began.

After an LBC turnover, the Patriots had two chances to take the lead but missed both shots. The second shot was a 3-point attempt by Ransom that was rebounded by Keltner. He was fouled by Latrell Alford and sunk both free throws with 17 seconds remaining.

Trailing by three, 63-60, the Patriots worked the ball around and found Alford at the top of the key. He was fouled shooting a 3-pointer by Koser with 3.1 seconds remaining and after hitting his first two free throws, the Chargers called timeout.

Alford missed the third and the Patriots' Michael Stum was called for a foul that put Andrew Risser on the line for LBC with 1.8 seconds to play. Risser hit the first to put LBC ahead, 64-62. After another Patriots' timeout, Risser's shot hit the front of the rim and Davis got to half-court before launching a shot that fell short.

The Chargers' players and fans rushed to mid-court as the Patriots walked slowly to the bench. Arguably no one was happier then Keltner and Nulf who beat the Patriots for the first time in their four-year careers.

"I feel great for the seniors," Beers said. "They worked hard and played well tonight and earned the victory."

Keltner finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Nulf chipped in with 10 points and three boards.

Erich Graybill, Warfel and Risser all played well for the Chargers as well. Graybill and Risser combined for 13 points and eight rebounds, but their hustle and play on the defensive end was huge for LBC. Warfel's shooting early helped keep the Chargers in the game.

"Graybill caused problems for them inside and Warfel simply played well tonight," Beers said. "Risser is improving and getting better each game. That is good news for this team."

The Chargers shot 50 percent from the field in the second half, while holding the Patriots (26-7) to just 27 percent shooting, including 3-of-17 from beyond the arc.

The win puts LBC in the NCCAA National Tournament for the second straight year. The tournament will be held March 8-11 at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.