The Lancaster Bible College Chargers Men's Basketball team hosted the St.Mary's (Md.) Seahawks on Monday night for the United East Volt Division Semifinals, falling 80-75. The Chargers end the 2023-24 season 16-10 overall and 10-2 in the United East Conference. The Seahawks improve to 16-11 overall and will travel to Penn St. Harrisburg on Wednesday night for the Volt Division Championship.

How It Happened: The Chargers jumped out to a 15-4 lead just five minutes into the first half, capitalized by back-to-back three-pointers from Maureon Tisdale-Couch and Connor Storr. Behind tough defensive possessions and key shots, the Chargers maintained a comfortable lead. The Chargers headed to halftime with a seven-point lead, 42-35.

Opening the second half, the Seahawks got a three-pointer right away to bring the deficit to within four points. Continuing to chip away, at just under six minutes into the second half the Seahawks took the lead 50-49 for the first time on the night. For the next few minutes both squads exchanged the lead as every possession seemed to matter more and more. It was the Seahawks, however, that used several key fast breaks to open their lead to as much as eight points with six minutes to go.  With 3:49 left, the Chargers faced a one possession deficit 72-71 after Luke Rumbaugh notched seven straight points. The Seahawks converted an and-one and knocked in their free throws to lead to an 80-75 upset over the Chargers.

By the Numbers: The Chargers shot 43-percent from the field, 32-percent from three, and 68-percent from the free throw line… the Seahawks shot 49-percent from the field, 37-percent from three, and 73-percent from the line… the Chargers were outrebounded by 14 after giving up 10 offensive rebounds and 12 second-chance points… the Chargers forced 22 turnovers, scoring 22 points off turnovers… Grant Sareyka scored 16 points, Tisdale-Couch scored 12 points, and Rumbaugh added 11… Daryn Alexander had a game-high 28 points for the Seahawks.