The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team traveled to Langhorne, Pa. to open their 2022-23 season against the Highlanders of Cairn University on Saturday afternoon. The Chargers came out firing on all cylinders, cruising to a 97-42 win to give Lancaster Bible its first win of the season behind several career bests, including sophomore Sydney Heller's 29 points. The Chargers start the year 1-0 while the Highlanders move to 1-2 overall.
 
How It Happened: The Chargers started the game hot, rushing to a 7-0 lead just over 2:30 into the game and wouldn't look back. The lead grew to 16 points thanks to an impressive first quarter shooting performance and after 10 minutes of play, the Chargers led the Highlanders 23-7, the first of four 20+ point quarters for the Chargers.
 
The Chargers' lead continued to grow in the second quarter, featuring four three-point field goals and several made jumpers. The Chargers held a 24-point lead, 47-23 at the break.
 
Opening the second half the Chargers continued their hot shooting, carrying out a 25-12 run in the third quarter to take a 74-35 advantage into the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Sydney Heller scored 10 of her career-high 29 in the fourth quarter and the Chargers received additional contributions from freshmen Amber Millen and Irene Were, with Millen scoring six straight points in the fourth. The Chargers explosive team offense led by the likes of Heller, junior Alaysha Iwais, sophomore Jade Eshelman, and several others would help secure a 97-42 final and season-opening victory.
 
From the Coach: "I couldn't be more pleased with our team's effort, energy, and maturity today. We executed our game plan for four quarters, shot with confidence, and played great team basketball. Sydney Heller did a phenomenal job off the bench and continues to prove the type of scorer she can be for us. We are excited to have started the season off with a win and look forward to competing again Wednesday in our first home game." – Head Coach Joy Tharrington
 
By the Numbers: The Chargers shot an impressive 51.3% (39-76) from the field and 42.3% (11-26) from the three-point line… the Chargers scored 48 points in the paint and a total of 29 points off of Highlander turnovers… sophomore Sydney Heller scored a career-high 29 points including 5-9 from the three point line, adding on three steals… sophomore Jade Eshelman tallied her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds… junior Alaysha Iwais scored 12 points and dished out a career-high 12 assists… Adalyn Steiner scored 12 points… Amber Millen had 10 points in her collegiate debut… and Jenna Dombach dished out a career-high 11 assists… Taylor Hinson led the Highlanders with 20 points.
 
Information to Know:

• Heller's career-high 29 points is tied for the ninth-most points in a game in for the program. The last time this point total was reached was in 2017 when Caitlyn Hickey netted 29 twice.
• Iwais' career-high 12 assists tied for fourth most assists in a game while Dombach's career-high 11 assists tied for fifth most assists in a game.
• The 97 points scored ranks as the eighth-most points scored in a game in program history. Last season, the Chargers tallied 104 points in a win over Penn St. Berks on February 9^th, 2022.

 
Up Next: The Chargers will host their home opener on Wednesday, November 16^th in a non-conference contest with the Bryn Athyn College Lions at 7 p.m.