Lancaster Bible College 78, Baruch 76
 
Baruch Starters
Sanborn, Gueye, Bajrami, Richards & Purisic
 
LBC Starters
Seth Beers, Tyler Hilton, Grant Sareyka, Jordan Shewbridge & Adam Stoltzfus
 
How It Happened
The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team used a second half surge to take down Baruch College by a score of 78-76 in the William Marshall Tip-off Tournament hosted by F&M on Friday, November 12.
 
The Chargers got off to a fast start with Jordan Shewbridge knocking down a pair of jump shots to give LBC an early 4-0 lead. Baruch would settle into the game and take a 9-6 lead six minutes into the game. Shewbridge would level the score draining the Chargers first 3-pointer of the game. The Bearcats answered back with a 5-0 run to retake momentum. Grant Sareyka drove to the basket, drawing a foul and completing the three-point play to bring the Chargers back within two. Later in the half, Jordan Praylow swished a jumper to give LBC an 18-17 lead. Baruch would then seize momentum going on a 13-2 run to take a 10-point lead with 5:24 remaining in the half. The Chargers would halt the run with back-to-back baskets from Adam Stoltzfus and Sareyka. LBC could not get any closer and trailed by seven at the half.
 
Stoltzfus got the Chargers started in the second half, knocking down a jump shot to begin the half. Trailing by seven, Shewbridge started to heat up knocking down a jumper and then a 3-pointer, pulling LBC back within two points. Baruch would respond, stretching their lead to as many as 11 points with 13 minutes remaining in the game. Shewbridge would cut into the deficit, drilling a pair of 3-pointers, making the score 56-53. LBC would keep chipping away and after a pair of free throws by Tyler Hilton, Sareyka knocked down a jumper to give the Chargers their first lead of the half. Later in the half with game tied at 61, Hilton would score a layup in transition, giving LBC the lead. Shewbridge would then swish a 3-pointer and knock down jump shot to help the Chargers maintain the lead. With 1:34 remaining, Shewbridge drained a pair of free throws to put LBC ahead by three. Brauch continued to fight back, eventually tying the game at 76 with eight seconds remaining in regulation. The Chargers got the ball to Shewbridge in the closing seconds, and he drew a foul earning two free throws. Shewbridge calmly stepped to the line, swishing both free throws putting LBC ahead by two with three seconds remaining. Baruch would get final possession and the Bearcats launched a three-pointer that went in, but the officials ruled Baruch did not get the shot off before the buzzer sounded, giving LBC a 78-76 victory.
 
Inside The Numbers
- Jordan Shewbridge picked up where he left off last season, finding his rhythm in the second half and scoring a game-high 31 points. Shewbridge knocked five 3-pointers and went 8-10 at the free throw line.
 
- Grant Sareyka got his season off to a fast start, scoring 17 points while gathering in five rebounds
 
- Adam Stoltzfus filled the stat sheet, scoring eight points, posting eight rebounds, and making five thunderous blocks
 
- The Chargers held a major advantage in transition, scoring 20 fast break points to the Bearcats five points
 
- LBC won the battle on the glass, holding a 36-35 edge in rebounds
 
- Baruch was led by Emil Purisic who scored 19 points
 
Coaching Thoughts
"In the first half we shot 32% from the floor and 11% from beyond the arc and I thought we settled for some bad looks," said head coach Jon Mack. "In the second half, we were more aggressive driving into the paint and kicking the ball out for rhythm 3-pointers. We shot 52% from the floor in the second half holding Baruch to just 38%. Our guys made winning plays to keep us within striking distance in the first half, including several key plays at the end of the half that allow us to carry momentum into the second half. We extended our pressure and wore them down allowing Jordan to find his rhythm offensively. Grant was tough for us, battling on both ends of the floor. I also thought Adam did a nice job battling through some early foul trouble. In the second half, he did nice job avoiding fouls and making five key blocks."
 
Who's Next
The men's basketball team will advance to the William Marshall Tip-off Tournament Championship Game, facing the hosts Franklin & Marshall on Saturday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.
 
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