#2 Lancaster Bible 68, #3 Carolina 66- NCCAA Championship Semifinals

Carolina Starters
Nawabi, Ofoegbu, Cooper, Aguilera & Standifer

LBC Starters
Seth Beers, Grant Sareyka, Ethan Beachy, Jordan Shewbridge & Adam Stoltzfus

How it Happened
The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team took down Carolina University on a buzzer beating layup by Adam Stoltzfus to advance to the NCCAA National Championship Game. The Chargers rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat the Bruins 68-66 on Thursday, March 17.

The Chargers (23-7 Overall) struggled to find their offensive rhythm early in the first half, allowing Carolina University (21-7 Overall) to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Jordan Shewbridge started the Chargers' offense hitting a 3-pointer off a pass from Seth Beers. Adam Stoltzfus finished a layup to keep LBC within striking distance early in the half and Shewbridge hit his second 3-pointer to pull LBC back within a point at 11-10. With 10:31 remaining in the half, Grant Sareyka hauled in an offensive rebound, and he found a streaking Beers for a layup to keep LBC within one point. The Bruins responded, going on an 8-2 run to surge ahead by seven points. Trailing by 10 points, Andrew Zentner went to work in the post, scoring a layup. Tyler Hilton then swished a 3-pointer off a pass from Shewbridge to make the score 29-24. Carolina closed the half on a 6-2 run to take a 35-26 lead into the half.

The Chargers' offense started the second half much stronger. After Shewbridge slashed to the basket for a layup to cut the deficit to seven, Beers and Sareyka drilled 3-pointers, making the score 35-34. The Bruins tried to slow the Chargers rally by hitting a 3-pointer, but Sareyka immediately responded with a 3-pointer of his own. LBC continued to fight back, matching the Bruins shot for shot, with the Chargers taking a 43-42 lead when Shewbridge finished a layup in the paint. LBC hit four consecutive free throws and, off a steal by Shewbridge, Hilton scored a layup in transition to give LBC a 49-42 lead. Sareyka capped off a 13-0 run, drilling a 3-pointer to put the Chargers ahead by ten. The Bruins fought back, scoring five straight points to cut the Chargers' lead in half. Shewbridge connected on another 3-pointer slowing the Burins push, but an 11-0 run gave Carolina a 58-55 lead with 4:09 remaining. Beers tied the game at 58, hitting a big 3-pointer, and then Sareyka came away with a steal and score to give LBC a two-point advantage. Shewbridge connected on two clutch 3-pointers, keeping LBC ahead by five with 1:25 remaining in the game. Carolina would not go away, scoring the next five points to tie the game at 66 with :40 seconds remaining in the game. After a Chargers turnover, Sareyka stole the ball to give LBC a final chance with only seven seconds remaining the game. Shewbridge drew attention to himself, kicking the ball to a wide open Stoltzfus who connected on the buzzer beating layup, giving LBC the 68-66 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers
- Jordan Shewbridge continued to light up the scoreboard, totaling 21 points and hitting five times from beyond the arc
- Grant Sareyka came up with some key baskets down the stretch, scoring 15 points and swiping three steals
- Tyler Hilton stepped up as the team's sixth man, scoring 12 points off the bench shooting 3-4 from the floor
- Seth Beers added 10 points, hitting twice from beyond the arc
- Andrew Zentner led the Chargers in rebounds, grabbing eight boards while scoring six points
- Carolina was led by Kester Ofoegbu who finished the game with 19 points

Coaching Points
"This was an incredible game of runs and will," said head coach Jon Mack. "We had to earn this victory. Carolina is a tough defensive team with some talented players. They are also very well coached. I thought we didn't match their toughness and effort in the first half.  We strongly challenged our guys to be tougher. I thought our guys responded with great mental and physical toughness which allowed us to focus on execution. Our ability to get a stop and score in final seven seconds to win the game reflects the toughness we played with in the second half. We are blessed and look forward to the opportunity to compete for a national championship on Saturday against a very physical and well coached team."

Who's Next
The Chargers have advanced to the NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game where they will face #4 Baptist Bible College on Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.

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