Box Score Playing its first non-conference game since December 15, the Lancaster Bible women's basketball team hoped to prove that their success this season in the North Eastern Athletic Conference would translate into a solid non-conference showing. And while the result was not what they wanted, the Chargers lost to Elizabethtown, 80-53, they were able to execute some things they have worked on and can take many of the things they learned with them into the rest of the season as the prepare for the stretch run in the NEAC.

Elizabethtown poured it on early as they opened the game on a 13-0 run and led 17-2 with 10:43 left in the first half. The Blue Jays tough defense caused the Chargers to commit early turnovers and led to easy baskets on the other end. The good looks that LBC did get, the shots did not fall and the Chargers trailed, 42-19 at the half.

"I thought we were really tentative in the first half," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "In the second half we were much better and were able to execute more of what we normally do."

Lauren Heliger and Brooklyn Wilson each had 15 points for the Chargers who fell to 14-4 this season. 

Helsel thought E-town's ability to move the ball and win 50-50 battles were some of the differences in the game.

"They are savvy with the ball and see the floor really well," Helsel said. "I think their ability to come away with the ball when it was up for grabs was big for them and hurt us."

Elizabethtown's Taylor Santor led the Blue Jays with 21 points. 

Despite the loss, the Chargers must refocus and begin preparing for Wednesday night's huge game against NEAC South Division rival, Penn St. Harrisburg. The winner of that game will have the inside track to the South Division title. Helsel said he didn't think Monday's loss would linger with the team.

"The girls are upbeat and I think we did do a couple of things correct tonight," Helsel said. "Winning tonight's game would have been great, but it doesn't make or break our season. We want to get better as a team and win our division in the NEAC and get to the NEAC Final."

Wednesday's game is scheduled to tip-off at 6 p.m.


Notes:
-Despite leading the team with 15 points, Heliger saw her five-game streak of scoring 20 or more points come to an end. 

-The Chargers are now 0-3 all-time against Elizabethtown.