Box Score The Lancaster Bible women's basketball team proved once again on Saturday that in order to beat them, it will take a full 40 minutes to do so. After a shaky first half that resulted in a five-point halftime deficit, the Chargers reclaimed control in the second half and pulled away for a 67-52 victory over Penn St. Berks.

The first half began well for the Chargers as they jumped out a 19-12 lead 10 minutes into the game. Over the next five and a half minutes however, the Chargers did not score a single point, while Penn St. Berks couldn't miss as they went on a 17-0 run to take a 10-point lead, 29-19. 

LBC battled over the final minutes of the half to trim the deficit, but still trailed, 33-28 at the break.

"We were down in the first half and had no execution whatsoever," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "I was proud of ladies though, because we stayed calm and right out of the gate in the second half, we got back to our game plan."

That they did as the Chargers outscored the Nittany Lions, 24-5 over the first 11:31 of the second half. LBC began to dominate the boards and wear out the Nittany Lions who had just six players dress on Saturday.

"We got some easy baskets in transition and our defense definitely clamped down in the second half," Helsel said. 

Lauren Heliger and Aubrey Folger led the offensive charge in the second half, as Heliger finished with 22 points, while Folger finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Heliger has now eclipsed the 20-point mark in five straight games and leads the team with 16.2 points per game. Folger's double-double is her sixth of the season.

Junior Brooklyn Wilson finished with 10 points for LBC, while Sarah Heilenman had seven points and 12 rebounds. The Chargers held a 42-26 advantage on the glass, including a 21-5 edge on the offensive glass.

LBC (14-3, 10-2) will play one of its toughest opponents on Monday night when they take on Lancaster County foe, Elizabethtown at 6 p.m. The Blue Jays defeated fifth ranked Messiah earlier this week and lost by just three points to 15th ranked Lebanon Valley on Saturday. 

"We are excited for a non-conference test in the middle of the season," Helsel said. "They are playing well and it's going to be an indicator of where we are as a team."

Following Monday's game, LBC will host NEAC South Division rival Penn St. Harrisburg on Wednesday at 6 p.m. As things continue to shake out in the NEAC regular season, Wednesday's game could go a long way in determining who not only wins the NEAC South Division, but who also may hold the inside track to hosing the NEAC Semi-Finals and Final on February 23-24.

An LBC win on Wednesday night would give them a two-game advantage over Penn St. Harrisburg with five games remaining, while a Nittany Lions win would not only tie them with the Chargers for the top spot, but give them the tie-breaker over LBC as well.