Box Score Lancaster Bible did all it could in the second half to erase a 19-point halftime deficit, but the Chargers fell short and thus had to watch as Morrisville State celebrated its third straight North Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in Lancaster. The Mustangs clutch shooting and experience proved to be the difference as they won, 73-65 at Horst Athletic Center and will look to make it back to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 where their season ended a year ago.

On Sunday, the Mustangs jumped out to an 18-7 lead just 6:12 into the game and extended it to 29-10 on a layup by Tom Wilk with 9:53 to play in the first. The five seniors who started the game for the Mustangs were playing in their third straight NEAC Final, while all five starters for the Chargers were playing just second their second-ever playoff game.

The Mustangs (19-8) led by as many as 21 in the first half and though the Chargers cut it to 15, 38-23, with 2:58 to play, Morrisville State scored the final four points of the half to take a 42-23 lead into halftime. Morrisville State's Jordan Prior, who was named Playoff MVP following the game, had 13 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers, all of which crushed Lancaster Bible's momentum.

A much more engaged and determined Lancaster Bible team appeared in the second half and though they couldn't gain any traction on the scoreboard early on, they grabbed the Mustangs' attention. Brandon Hanks' 3-pointer from six-feet behind the 3-point line increased the Mustangs' lead to 45-25 with 18:56 to play and once again, although the Chargers cut into the deficit, Morrisville State answered with a 9-2 run to take a 54-32 lead with 14:58 to play.

The Chargers (19-8) chipped away and went on a run of their own over the next eight minutes as they outscored Morrisville State, 17-5 and closed the gap to 59-49 with 6:40 to play. Leading the Chargers charge was junior Albert Suniga who had 22 points in the second half and finished the game with 30 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 8-of-10 from beyond the arc.

The play that had many scratching their heads occurred at the 3:55 mark when Lancaster Bible sophomore CJ Dunston was given a technical foul for hanging on the rim despite the whistle being blown prior to his dunk. Suniga drove to the basket and was fouled in the act of shooting, the layup missed, but with the crowd screaming, Dunston and some other players didn't hear the whistle and Dunston grabbed the ball coming off the glass and threw it down. Dunston did hang on the rim for perhaps a second long, but with the crowd going crazy, it was tough to hear anything. Regardless, it was Dunston's fifth personal foul and he was done for the day.

"It was sort of a strange play and no one really knew what was happening," Tague said. "It certainly changed the final few minutes, but it didn't decide the game."

Lancaster Bible kept up the pace after the controversial technical as Suniga buried another 3-pointer with 2:47 to play to make it 65-58 Morrisville State. With Horst Athletic Center rocking, the Mustangs stayed calm and after two free throws by Sherard King, the Mustangs led 67-58 with 2:28 to play. Two huge offensive rebounds by Hanks let Mustangs run off more clock and Jailaan Kinsey hit one of two free throws to restore the Mustangs 10-point lead at 68-58.

Dondre Perry's third dunk of the weekend closed it to eight, but Morrisville State hit five of its final eight free free throws to clinch the win.

In addition to Suniga's 30 points, Dunston had 10 points and five rebounds and Kurt Keltner added four points and six boards. Perry also had six points and five rebounds for the Chargers who fell to 19-8. Prior had 16 points to pace the Mustangs, while Kucjok Ater added 13 points and eight rebounds and Tom Wilk had 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and added eight boards.

"I'm proud of the guys and the way they fought," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Marshall Tague said. "I think we were a little nervous at the beginning, but when we settled down, we were right there. Morrisville has been in these situations before and they used that to their advantage today. We will learn from this and use it in the future."

Tague also had the team watch the Mustangs celebrate, on the Chargers' home floor nonetheless, and use it as motivation.

"I don't think they want to see another team celebrate on our floor and hopefully we can remember what this feels like," Tague said.

The Chargers won't have to wait long to have the opportunity to defend their home floor as they will host Valley Forge Christian on Tuesday in the NCCAA East Region Final. Lancaster Bible defeated the Patriots way back on December 3, 72-63 at The Pit in Phoenixville, Pa. Valley Forge Christian defeated the Chargers, 70-55 in last season's NCCAA East Region Final which was also held in Lancaster.

Tuesday's tip-off is set for 7 p.m.