Box Score Lancaster Bible wrapped up its regular season in style on Friday night in Utica, N.Y. as the Chargers overcame a 17-point 1st half deficit to defeat SUNYIT, 61-56 and win their 14th straight game. The win improves the Chargers to 20-5 overall and gives them a perfect 16-0 mark in North Eastern Athletic Conference play.

Things looked bleak early as Lancaster Bible trailed 25-8 with 10:27 to play in the first half, but the Chargers began to chip away at the deficit and were able to cut the deficit to six, 37-31 at halftime. Not only did the offensive output pick up, but the Chargers defense put the clamps on and began controlling the game.

"The team defense was great," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Doug Helsel said. "Meaghan Williams did a terrific job defending and when we needed stops down the stretch, we got them."

The Chargers took their first lead of the game at the 17:04 mark of the second half as a 3-pointer by senior Brooklyn Wilson gave Lancaster Bible a 40-39 lead. Lancaster Bible led by single digits for the next 16 minutes before the Wildcats retook the lead, 56-55, on a jumper by Geena Gallo with 1:13 to play.

Lancaster Bible sophomore Katy Stover got fouled on the next possession and sank both free throws to give the Chargers a 57-56 advantage with 54 seconds to play. A SUNYIT turnover on its next possession turned into a layup by Lancaster Bible's Aubrey Folger to make it 59-56 with 31 seconds to play.

SUNYIT missed four shots on its next possession and Stover made it a two-possession game with a made free throw with 14 seconds to play. After another fruitless possession for SUNYIT, the Chargers' Christy Lorah iced the game with a free throw with three seconds to play.

"Aubrey carried us for parts of the game and Brooklyn shot the ball well again," Helsel said. "I'm proud of the girls because we didn't get flustered early on and didn't quit."

Folger finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds, while Wilson added 16 points and three assists. Sophomore Sarah Heilenman also had 10 points and five boards, while Stover finished with nine points and five assists.
Gallo scored her 1,000^th point for the Wildcats as well as she had 10 points.

Helsel said the team will enjoy the win on Friday night and turn their attention to the playoffs which begin at Lancaster Bible on March 1.

"Our last two weeks have been good because we have been playing other playoff teams," Helsel said. "We need to work hard this coming week, but the past couple of weeks have definitely prepared us for what is ahead."

Lancaster Bible won't find out who its opponent in the NEAC Semifinals will be until Tuesday night. They will face the winner of the North Division Quarterfinal. The three playoff teams from the North Division will be Wells, Keuka and Cazenovia, but all of them still have a chance to play in the quarterfinal game.

The North Division winner will be decided on Saturday when Wells faces Keuka. The winner of that game will face the Gallaudet-St. Elizabeth South Division Quarterfinal.