Lancaster Bible 73, Penn College 50
 
Penn College Starters
Miller, Stetts, Ilgen, Kuhns and Teats
 
LBC Starters
Sydney Heller, Alaysha Iwais, Lizzy Tilton, Jade Eshelman & Jenna Dombach
 
How It Happened
The Lancaster Bible College women's basketball team defeated Penn College by a score of 73-50 on Tuesday, February 15.
 
The Chargers (13-11 Overall, 10-5 United East) got off to a fast start opening the game on 8-0 run featuring layups by Sydney Heller, Jade Eshelman and Lizzy Tilton. Penn College (7-15 Overall, 6-9 United East) answered back, going on a 7-0 run to close back within one point. Heller halted the run by hitting a pair of free throws and Adalyn Steiner knocked down a jump shot to give LBC a five-point lead. Eshelman converted her second layup of the game, putting the Chargers ahead by seven. The Wildcats responded, going on a 10-0 run to take a 17-14 advantage going into the second quarter.
 
Alaysha Iwais opened the scoring in the second quarter, connecting on a long jump shot to bring LBC back within one point. Eshelman put the Chargers in front, converting a layup off a pass from Jenna Dombach. Steiner extended the lead to four hitting a jump shot. Iwais stretched the lead to six points, finishing a layup after Steiner pulled in an offensive rebound. Penn College answered back, going on a 4-0 run to close back within two points with just under four minutes remaining in the quarter. Mikayla Via halted the run, hitting a jump shot. Tilton then knifed to the basket for a layup to put the Chargers up by six. After Heller hit a pair of free throws, Iwais drilled a 3-pointer to put LBC up 32-22. Via added another 3-pointer before the end of the half, giving LBC a 35-25 lead at the break.
 
Tilton got the Chargers started in the second half, scoring a layup off a steal from Heller. After Penn College ran off four points, Heller knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Chargers ahead 40-31. Later in the quarter, Heller connected on another 3-pointer keeping LBC ahead by eight. Emma Drouillard followed with a 3-pointer of her own to put the Chargers ahead 46-35. Penn College scored on their final possession of the quarter, but the Chargers led 48-39.
 
Eshelman scored the Chargers first six points of the fourth quarter, helping LBC build a 54-42 advantage. Tilton and Heller recorded back-to-back steals and scores, extending the Chargers lead to 16 points. In full control of the game, the Chargers scored 25 points in the fourth quarter and eventually picking up the 73-50 victory.  
 
Inside The Numbers
- Jade Eshelman led the Chargers, posting a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds
- Sydney Heller scored a career-high 16 points, swiping four steals along the way
- Lizzy Tilton filled the stat sheet, scoring eight points, pulling in ten rebounds and dishing six assists
- Penn College was led by Maci Ilgen, Rachel Teats and Cassi Kuhns who each scored 13 points
- The Chargers won the battle on the glass, holding a 39-22 edge in rebounds
 
Coaching Points
"Tonight was another phenomenal, must win game for us, where the team recognized the moment and stepped up in a big way," said head coach Joy Tharrington. "We knew we had our hands full versus a talented, physical, and well-coached PCT team. It was good to see Sydney really shine tonight as we needed every bit of her energy and scoring to give us a boost. We are grateful to be back at full strength and look forward to honoring our seniors with our final regular season game this Saturday."
 
Who's Next
The women's basketball team will host Penn St. Harrisburg in the team's regular season finale on Saturday, February 19 at 8:00 p.m. The game will also serve as Senior Day. 
 
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