Having played on Saturday afternoon followed by an off day on Sunday, the Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team headed to Valley Forge Christian on Monday night not knowing what kind of shape their were in. A tough loss, followed by an off day, left the Chargers with one meeting and a simple game plan against the host Patriots.

Perhaps a simple game plan is the way to go for the Chargers.

Using tough defense and timely shooting, LBC beat Valley Forge Christian for the first time since February 25, 2009, 76-66 and earned the NCCAA East Region's top seed in the process. Because Baptist Bible is not participating in the East Region playoffs, the Chargers, with their victories over Philadelphia Biblical and Valley Forge Christian are the region's top seed.

LBC [9-9 overall, 7-5 NEAC] led by as many as 14 points in the first half at 29-15 and held at 40-28 lead at the break. In past games at The Pit in Phoenixville, Valley Forge Christian was always good for one big scoring run that either got them back into the game or let them pull away from a team in a close game. The LBC defense made sure that run never came.

"We finally put together 40 minutes of basketball," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "We had a simple game plan and holding Amanda Reich (the Patriots' best shooter) to two points was huge."

Guarding Reich, was sophomore Brooklyn Wilson and not only did she hold Reich to two points, but she led all scorers with 21 points as well.

"Brooklyn played great again," Helsel said. "We played well as a team offensively and defensively. We shot the ball well and got great contributions from everyone."

The Patriots were able to cut the Chargers' lead to eight a couple of times in the second half, but never got the game closer than that. Freshman Sarah Heilenman had nine points and 10 rebounds for LBC, while Emily Lloyd added 11 points and seven boards. Both ladies guarded the Patriots' 6-foot tall center, Amanda Compton and though Compton scored 16 points, Helsel thought Heilenman and Lloyd did a great job defensively.

"Sarah did well guarding her, but got into some foul trouble," Helsel said. "Lloyd picked up right where Sarah left off and did well. I like that we adjusted to the way the game was going and didn't just stick with the game plan the entire time."

The victory not only snaps a six-game losing streak against the Patriots, but it is the first time the Chargers have won in Phoenixville since the 2007-08 season when they won, 59-49.

"I don't think it has anything to do with the gym," Helsel said. "The court is the same size, we just haven't been able to win here."

For just the second time this season, LBC finished the game with more assists than turnovers [14-12].

"Having more assists than turnovers is huge for us," Helsel said. "Everyone is playing with confidence and it is showing in our play."

This is the first time that LBC will be the top seed in the NCCAA East Region playoffs. Because there are just three teams in the region, the Chargers are automatically in the East Region Final and will play the winner of the Philadelphia Biblical/Valley Forge Christian semi-final. Helsel said it doesn't matter what seed the Chargers are in the playoffs.

"I'm happy we are the top seed, but it doesn't get us a win," Helsel said. "We still have to go out there and play our best basketball.

For now, the Chargers will enjoy the victory and get back to their march toward a NEAC playoff berth. The Chargers will look to avenge a season-opening loss to Penn St. Harrisburg on Wednesday when they host the Nittany Lions at 8 p.m.


Notes:
-Senior Brittany Becker is the only member of this year's team that had ever defeated Valley Forge Christian prior to Monday night.

-LBC's last win over Valley Forge Christian came in the NCCAA East Region Semi-Finals.

-After going a combined 0-15 in their previous 13 trips to Phoenixville, the LBC men's and women's basketball teams have won the last two contests at The Pit. [The men won the NCCAA East Region title last season in Phoenixville, 64-62.]