The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team played its second straight NCAA Division I opponent on Friday night, and unlike Wednesday's near upset of Delaware State, the Chargers ran into a buzzsaw named Liberty, and lost, 90-49 in Lynchburg, Va. The contest was another exhibition for Lancaster Bible, while the game counts for the Flames who improved to 15-5 overall this season.
 
Despite the loss, the Chargers represented the college spectacularly, and played in front of the biggest television audience in school history, as the game aired on ESPN+, and gave the program and college a platform to showcase Christ.
 
How it Happened: After Liberty scored the first two baskets of the game, Lancaster Bible junior Jordan Shewbridge knocked down the first of his four 3-pointers on the night, to cut the deficit to 4-3. The Flames used an 11-2 run following the Shewbridge triple, and led 15-5 before another 3-pointer from Shewbridge cut it to 15-8.
 
The Chargers kept their deficit around 10-12 points for much of the first half, and cut Liberty's lead to 29-18 after an Adam Stoltzfus jumper with 6:32 to play. The Flames began to put more distance between themselves and the Chargers late in the opening 20 minutes, and a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Darius McGhee gave Liberty a 45-26 lead at the break.
 
Liberty ran away from the Chargers in the first seven minutes of the second half, as the Flames' defensive pressure and ability to move the ball offensively finally cracked the Chargers. The Flames outscored the Chargers, 20-6 over the first 7:06 of the second frame, and never looked back.
 
The Chargers had a quick offensive burst midway through the second half, as two Shewbridge 3-pointers sandwiched around a dunk from Andrew Zentner.
 
By the Numbers: Lancaster Bible shot 19-of-57 (33.3 percent) from the floor, and 8-of-27 (29.6 percent) from 3-point range…Liberty was 35-of-65 (53.8 percent) from the field, and 11-of-29 (37.9 percent) from beyond the arc…The Flames held a 37-31 advantage on the glass, and forced the Chargers into 17 turnovers…The Chargers did lead 13-11 in offensive rebounds…Shewbrige finished with 14 points to pace Lancaster Bible, while Tyler Hilton added eight points…Stoltzfus had five points and four rebounds, and freshman Seth Beers had seven points and three boards…Zenter added four points and five boards, while Grant Sareyka had five points…Senior Britton Beachy had four points, three rebounds, and two assists…Elijah Cuffee had 19 points to lead Liberty, while Blake Preston added 17 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Coach Says: "I'm happy for the guys and the experience they got tonight," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Jon Mack said. "The guys earned this opportunity with the sacrifices they have made this season, and it was great of our administration and Director of Athletics Pete Beers to help make this a reality. The guys stayed the course during the first semester and this semester and were deserving of this opportunity.
 
On the game itself: "We have to make sure we are bringing consistent effort and energy for 40 minutes, no matter who we are playing," Mack said. "No matter the score or opponent, you can always dive for a loose ball or go up and challenge a rebound, and I think we missed a few chances to do that tonight. We need to win a few more of those chances, even when playing against such a good opponent like Liberty."
 
On playing one of the best mid-majors in NCAA Division I: "Liberty put on a defensive clinic tonight," Mack said. "It was difficult for us to do much of anything and Head Coach Ritchie McKay and his staff do an excellent job coaching both ends of the floor."
 
News & Notes: Lancaster Bible is now 0-2 all-time against Liberty…The other matchup between the two teams came on Jan. 9, 1979, as the Chargers lost to the Flames, 64-53…The Flames have won 32 straight games at home, the second longest streak in NCAA Division I…Liberty came into the game allowing just 58.7 points per game, the fifth-best mark in NCAA Division I, and Friday marked the sixth time this season the Flames have limited a team to under 50 points…Shewbridge scored in double figures for the 21^st time in his past 23 games.
 
Up Next: Lancaster Bible will play another exhibition game on Saturday, as the Chargers face Mary Baldwin…Mary Baldwin is an NCAA Division III institution, but just added a men's basketball program, and is playing as a club team this year, before joining NCAA Division III officially next season.