Lancaster Bible College Athletics

The Lancaster Bible women's basketball began Christmas Break on a high note as the Chargers won their third straight game by defeating Penn St. Harrisburg, 65-47 in Middletown, Pa. on Friday night. Junior Katy Stover had 26 points to pace the Chargers who improved to 4-2 this season while the Nittany Lions dropped to 3-6.

Both teams lacked the offensive touch in the first half as Lancaster Bible led just 29-18. The Chargers were just 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, while the Nittany Lions were 7-of-28 (25 percent). Lancaster Bible scored the first nine points of the game and Penn St. Harrisburg didn't register a point until Becca Bailey hit a jumper in the paint with 12:36 to play in the first half. 

The game eventually evened out as the Nittany Lions closed the gap to 13-11 midway through the first half, but the Chargers answered with a 9-3 run over the next five minutes to extend the lead back to eight. The lead remained the same for the rest of the half before Aubrey Folger's jumper followed by two Stover free throws extended the advantage to 11 just prior to the half.

Scoring was up in the second half, though not necessarily because the shooting percentages went through the roof. The Chargers finished 12-of-29 (41.4 percent) from the floor in the second 20 minutes, while Penn St. Harrisburg was 11-of-35 (31.3 percent). An Alexis Nolan free throw at the 16:06 mark shrunk the Lancaster Bible lead to nine at 35-26, but that would be as close as the Nittany Lions would get in the second half as the Chargers pulled away thanks to Kirsten Webster and Stover.

Stover and Webster combined to score 28 of Lancaster Bible's 36 second half points, including the next 11 points after Nolan's free throw cut the deficit to nine.

Lancaster Bible kept the lead at around 16 points for much of the half before two Stover free throws with six seconds to play produced the final score and an 18 point margin.

Stover earned her 26 points as she was just 7-of-21 from the floor, including 2-of-10 from beyond the arc, but as she has proven time-and-time again, when she struggles from the floor, she can get to free throw line and she did that once again on Friday. Stover finished 10-of-13 from the line, including 7-of-9 in the second half.

Webster's 16 points are a new career-high as she added three rebounds and four assists as well.

"Kirsten had an awesome game tonight," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Rachel Steinbarger said. "She showed what kind of player she can be every night."

In addition to Webster, Steinbarger was extremely proud of the way the team played and how players stepped up when they needed to.

"Tonight was the best we've played as a unit all season long," Steinbarger said. "Molly Arnold stepped up when Shy when down for a little while and it was great to see Molly come right in a play well in extended minutes."

Junior Aubrey Folger had her fifth double-double of the season as she scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Senior Meaghan Williams added four points and seven rebounds for the Chargers, while Shanice Smith had six points and eight boards before an injury forced her to the bench. Christy Lorah and Arnold each chipped in with two rebounds. 

Kaitlyn Carmo had 17 points and four rebounds to pace the Nittany Lions.

Steinbarger said it was important for the team to play well prior to the break so they can be confident when the team reconvenes at the end of December.

"We are excited to enter break on a win," Steinbarger said. "Now we need everyone to get some rest, enjoy some family time and come back ready for the second semester."

Lancaster Bible returns to the court on Wednesday, January 7 when the Chargers host Penn College at 4 p.m. in a North Eastern Athletic Conference contest. 

Notes:
-Lancaster Bible is now 7-6 all-time against Penn St. Harrisburg and has won the last four meetings in the series.

-The Chargers were 6-2 at Christmas Break last season and also entered Christmas Break with a victory over Penn St. Harrisburg.

-Stover posted 32 points against Penn St. Harrisburg last season and is now averaging 29 points in two games against the Nittany Lions.