There are two ways to look at Saturday's East Region Final if you are a Lancaster Bible College women's basketball fan. The first way is to be positive. Last season in Phoenixville, the Chargers fell behind 21-0 and didn't score until the 10:10 mark of the first half. This season they led by one with 12:24 to play.

The second way to look at things to take the game for what it is - a loss. After Saturday's game, the Chargers were using both ways to look at the game. On one hand, they did play well and once again played with an opponent for much of the game. On the other hand, their season is over and will not be advancing to the NCCAA National Tournament in Ohio.

Valley Forge Christian College beat LBC, 65-54 to advance to the NCCAA National Tournament. Lauren Heliger had 25 points for the Chargers who withstood the Patriots' attack through the first 30 minutes, before they went cold from the floor and the Patriots took advantage.

With LBC (12-15) clinging to a 40-39 lead with 12:24 to play after a Heliger jumper, the Patriots began one of their now famous scoring runs where they seem to not miss and the opponent can't find the net.

Over the next 4:39, Valley Forge outscored LBC, 13-2 to open up a 52-42 lead with 7:45 to play.

"They just have so much depth," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "They keep bringing weapons off the bench and I think that was the difference today."

The Patriots bench outscored LBC's 27-6.

The Chargers cut the lead to eight several times, but could get no closer and lost to Valley Forge for the sixth straight time.

"We played hard and we played smart today, but things just didn't go our way," Helsel said. "We've been tied or ahead in the second half in our last 11 games, we just need to learn how to keep a team down once we have them down."

The Patriots' 6-foot, 3-inch center, Amanda Compton, had 13 points and nine rebounds, something Helsel wasn't very happy about.

"We didn't do a very good job guarding her or adjusting to her play today," Helsel said. "She had so many offensive rebounds early that kept too many of their possessions alive."

For the game, Valley Forge took 17 more shots then LBC, and out-rebounded them 37-29.

With the loss, two of the most storied women's basketball careers come to an end. Nicole Karschner and Lacy McClaine played their final games as members of the LBC basketball team.

"I thanked them for their hard work and dedication to the team," Helsel said. "They played great this season."

Karschner finishes her career with 1,077 points, the second most in school history, while McClaine finishes with 1,034, tied for fourth all-time. Karschner played in 105 games, the most in school history.

Helsel's first season as coach is now in the big books and he said he has learned a lot.

"I'm happy we were able to compete and I think myself and the team learned a lot," Helsel said. "Having to replace three seniors will be tough, but if there are any high school seniors out there who are 5-foot, 10-inches or taller, give us a call."

All joking aside, Helsel said he was very happy with the season and is looking forward to re-building and re-tooling the program.