As the Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team inches closer to its first NEAC playoff berth, a new wrinkle was added for Saturday's game against Wilson - play without your leading scorer.
Lauren Heliger missed the game due to a minor injury and the Chargers responded with a total team effort, winning 52-38 at Horst Athletic Center.
Emily Lloyd had 17 points and eight rebounds, while
Brooklyn Wilson added 15 points and five assists as the Chargers won their third straight game and moved to 12-10 overall and 9-6 in NEAC play.
Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel was pleased with the team's effort, despite missing Heliger's 17 points per game.
"Everyone had to step up and perform today and they did," Helsel said of his team. "Players like
Carmin Nachtigal came in off the bench and immediately attacked the basket."
Nachtigal, who finished with four points, was joined by
Katie Coomber who came off the bench and had two points and three boards for LBC.
The other key for the Chargers was holding Wilson's leading scorer, Tara Fields, to just three points. Fields came into the game averaging 17.1 points per game, good enough for fourth in the NEAC.
Brooklyn Wilson's defense on Fields frustrated the Wilson player all day long.
"Brooklyn was huge on D," Helsel said. "She shuts people down and has done it to several teams' best players this season. Her intensity is huge for us."
With the victory, LBC ties last season's win total despite losing three seniors, two of which were 1,000 point scorers.
"We try not to celebrate too much, but it's important to recognize how far this team has come this season," Helsel said. "We want to play well to end the regular season and hopefully use the momentum in the NEAC and NCCAA playoffs."
The Chargers will play three times in the final week of the regular season, beginning Tuesday when they face Penn St. Abington in Abington, Pa. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Notes:
-The missed game was the first in Heliger's collegiate career. She had started and played in the previous 73 games.
