Lancaster Bible 57, St. Mary's (Md.) 44
 
St. Mary's Starters
Williams, Manning, Howell, Mangold & Landon
 
LBC Starters
Sydney Heller, Alaysha Iwais, Adalyn Steiner, Jade Eshelman & Jenna Dombach
 
How It Happened
The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team picked up a critical United East victory over St. Mary's College of Maryland. The Chargers defeated the Seahawks by a score of 57-44 on Saturday, February 12.
 
The Chargers (12-11 Overall, 9-5 United East) took an early lead when Jade Eshelman collected an offensive rebound and laid the ball back in the basket for the first points of the game. Adalyn Steiner converted a pair of free throws to extend the lead to four. St. Mary's (10-12 Overall, 8-6 United East) answered back, going on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game. The teams traded the lead back-and-forth with Faith Hammond tying the game at 10 by knocking down a pair of free throws. Alaysha Iwais found some space inside the arc, drilling a jump shot to take a 12-10 lead. The Seahawks closed the quarter on a 5-0 run, taking a 15-12 lead into the second quarter.
 
Sydney Heller hit LBC's first 3-pointer of the game early in the second quarter, tying the game at 17. After Eshelman gave the Chargers a one-point lead, Steiner and Lizzy Tilton finished layups making the score 22-17. Heller closed out the 10-0 run hitting a jump shot to give LBC a seven-point advantage. St. Mary's made another run, closing the quarter by scoring eight straight points, taking a 25-24 lead into the half.
 
The Chargers immediately took the lead in third quarter, with Steiner putting the Chargers ahead by swishing a 3-pointer. After the Seahawks recaptured a one-point lead, Tilton drilled a 3-pointer to give LBC a 32-30 lead. Hammond scored a layup off a well-designed inbounds play, keeping the Chargers ahead. The teams continued to battle with Heller tying the game at 37 by hitting a 3-pointer. Heller's three sparked a 10-0 to close the fourth quarter that featured four free throws from Eshelman. LBC led 44-37 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
LBC continued their momentum from the end of the third quarter with Heller knifing to the basket for back-to-back layups putting the Chargers ahead 48-37. Hammond maintained the double-digit lead, drilling a 3-pointer from the top of the arc. Steiner stretched the lead to 14, connecting on another 3-pointer. The Chargers defense locked down the Seahawks' attack, securing a 57-44 victory.
 
Inside The Numbers
- Jade Eshelman was a force in the paint, scoring 12 points and battling for 18 rebounds
- Sydney Heller recorded 12 points, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers
- Adalyn Steiner also hit two 3-pointers, scoring 10 points
- Lizzy Tilton filled the stat sheet scoring nine points, pulling in six rebounds and swiping two steals
- Faith Hammond played valuable minutes scoring seven points and gathering five rebounds
- The Seahawks were led by Karon Williams who had 15 points
- The Chargers dominated the glass, holding a 49-31 edge in rebounds
- LBC's bench scored 16 points
 
Coaching Points
"­­­This game felt like a playoff game that was absolutely a must win and I thought our girls responded in a poised and determined way," said head coach Joy Tharrington. "I thought our grit and toughness were on full display and I love that we are learning how to win the hard way. We cannot wait to be at full strength as we close out the season."  
 
Who's Next
The women's basketball team will travel to Penn College for a matchup with the Wildcats on Tuesday, February 15 at 8:00 p.m.
 
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