The Lancaster Bible College Women's Basketball team under first year head coach Ryan Carpenter hosted their first game at the Horst Athletic Center for the 2023-24 season on Saturday. The Spartans of York (Pa.) used a big fourth quarter to run past the Chargers 78-64. The Chargers fall to 1-4 overall while the Spartans improve to 2-2 to open the season.
 
How It Happened: Freshman Natalie Wenger got things going offensively, scoring the first bucket of the game under two minutes into the game. Two made free throws from fellow newcomer Raven Hunter brought the Chargers' lead to 4-0 but the Spartans quickly tied the game at 4-4, a snippet for what would be the rest of the game. From there, the Spartans grabbed the lead and didn't give it up no matter how close the Chargers got. A three-pointer at the buzzer from senior Faith Hammond to end the quarter brought the deficit to within two points for the Chargers.
 
The Chargers opened the second quarter with a lead of their own thanks to a steal from Alaysha Iwais leading to a layup from Rachel Nolt. The lead remained close through the half, but this time it was the Chargers who never gave it up as they headed to halftime with a 40-37 lead after a last second three-pointer from Hunter.
 
Coming out of halftime, the Chargers fought hard to keep the lead, but the Spartans proved too much, tying the game at 47-47 with 3:42 left to play. From there the Chargers battled, but the Spartans used their momentum to keep the lead. It was at the 41-second mark that a jumper from Iwais brought the Chargers to within one, but a 14-0 run to start the fourth quarter put the Spartans up 70-55 with just six minutes left to play. A strong effort from the Chargers came up short as the Spartans went on to win 78-64.
 
From the Coach: "We played a very good and well-balanced team extremely close for 3 quarters and ran out of gas in the 4th. With what our pre-season looked like, we are in a way playing our way into shape and still getting used to several new pieces. Extremely proud of how we continue to compete and grow through a tough non-conference slate." – Head Coach Ryan Carpenter
 
By the Numbers: The Chargers shot 41 percent (23-56) from the field and 31 percent (7-22) from three-point land… the Spartans finished shooting 40 percent (32-80) from the field and 34 percent (8-23) from beyond the arc… the Chargers lost the rebound battle 42-31 but tallied 17 assists and added 16 bench points… Iwais had a game-high 16 points to go along with seven assists… Hammond, Hunter, and Jenna Dombach all scored double digits while Hunter grabbed 14 rebounds… Alyssa Hocker led the Spartans with 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
Up Next: The Chargers have a bit of a break as their next game is November 29, opening United East play at Gallaudet in Washington, D.C.