Lancaster Bible 69, Penn St. Abington 64
 
Penn St. Abington Starters
Sanders, Fleming, MacLachlin, Bess & Tavormina
 
LBC Starters
Sydney Heller, Alaysha Iwais, Adalyn Steiner, Jade Eshelman & Jenna Dombach
 
How It Happened
The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team won a thrilling battle against Penn St. Abington, defeating the Lions 69-64 on Tuesday, January 25.
 
The Chargers (8-9 Overall, 5-3 United East) grabbed an early lead when Adalyn Steiner knocked down a jump shot in transition. Penn St. Abington (5-10 Overall, 4-3 United East) responded going on a 4-0 run to take a 9-5 lead midway through the quarter. Alaysha Iwais halted the run knocking down a 3-pointer. Abington answered back, hitting a pair of 3-pointers to surge ahead by seven-points. The Chargers made a run of their own, closing the quarter by scoring the final six points including a 3-pointer from Kenzie Baughman that pulled LBC back within one heading into the second quarter.
 
LBC kept pace with the Lions throughout the second quarter with Jenna Dombach tying the game 21 with 5:31 remaining in the half. Sydney Heller put the Chargers ahead 26-23, swishing a 3-pointer. Moments later Heller hit another 3-pointer keeping the Chargers ahead by four. The Lions fought back, closing the half on a 5-2 run in order to take a 32-31 lead going into the half.
 
Neither offense could find its rhythm early in the third quarter, with neither team connecting on a jump shot during the first two and half minutes. Dombach gave LBC a one-point lead, connecting on a three-pointer. After Abington retook the lead, Heller hit her fourth 3-pointer of the game to give the Chargers a 40-38 lead. Later in the quarter Mikayla Via hit a 3-pointer to give LBC a one-point advantage. Lizzy Tilton and Tenia Brown closed the quarter by scoring back-to-back baskets, giving LBC a 50-47 lead heading to the final quarter.
 
Jade Eshelman opened the fourth quarter by hitting back-to-back layups in transition to put the Chargers ahead by seven points. Abington battled back, eventually tying the game at 56 with 5:43 remaining in the half. Eshelman and Iwais hit several key free throws to help LBC retake a three-point advantage. The Chargers maintained the lead into the closing minutes of the quarter where Iwais hit a clutch 3-pointer from the wing to give LBC a five-point advantage. Tilton and Dombach each converted late free throws, securing the 69-64 victory for the Chargers.
 
Inside The Numbers
- The Chargers were led by Sydney Heller who scored 12 points, connecting on four 3-pointers
- Jade Eshelman posted a double-double scoring 11 points and pulling in 13 rebounds
- Jenna Dombach reached double figures totaling 11 points by going 6-6 from the free throw line
- Alaysha Iwais hit a pair of 3-pointers, scoring 10 points
- Penn St. Abington was led by Wynter Bess who scored 21 points
- The Lions won the battle on the glass, holding a 45-42 edge in rebounds
- The Chargers bench made a major impact out scoring the Lions bench 21-2
 
Coaching Points
"Tonight's win was the result of our team choosing to play for one another and go to war with one another for four quarters," said head coach Joy Tharrington. "As we continue to establish who we want to be in this league, competing and being able to win tough games on the road has to be part of who we are. We took a step closer toward that identity and what I believe this group has the potential to be. This was a great win for us and ultimately happened because of a tremendous team effort."  
 
Who's Next
The women's basketball team will travel to north to face SUNY Morrisville on Friday, January 28 with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
 
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