Box Score
LANCASTER, PA – The Crimson Eagles were bounced from the NCCAA East Region playoffs Thursday evening as the three-time defending champs fell to Lancaster Bible College on the road, 48-45.
It wasn’t due to a lack of effort, however. PBU was swarming from the outset and controlled the tempo of the contest off the opening tip.
Utilizing a frenzied two-three zone defense, the visitors bolted out to a 21-12 edge over the opening 13 minutes of action, swelling to a comfortable 24-17 halftime cushion. The Crimson Eagles were impressive defensively, forcing the host group into 28.6 percent shooting throughout the first 20 minutes while holding the Chargers empty from long range.
Lancaster was able to chip away at PBU’s marginal lead early in the second frame, however, utilizing a 7-0 spurt over the first five minutes to lock things at 24-all. With 11 ties and lead changes throughout, momentum would seesaw back and forth throughout the period as neither team allowed much breathing room for the opposition on the offensive end.
Stationed at 42-apiece in the final moments, the Chargers broke the deadlock by drawing an old-fashioned three point play to open up a 45-42 gap. With time serving as LBC’s biggest ally, the host group refused to give the visitors an open look, forcing PBU into several difficult heaves at the basket.
Holding out for a miracle in the final ticks, it wasn’t to be as the third seeded Crimson Eagles failed to reach the East Region finals for the first time in four years.
Despite holding the Chargers to 32.1 percent shooting for the evening, PBU was unable to overcome a 20-15 discrepancy in turnovers as well as an 18-10 disadvantage regarding points around the bucket. Lancaster corralled 17 offensive boards for the night to help combat their subpart shooting percentage.
Playing in her final collegiate contest, senior Careth Herron paced PBU with 15 point s and five assists while knocking down four triples on the night. Classmate Lisa Garner closed out her career by posting six points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Hannah McCardle added seven points and nine snags off the glass.
The Crimson Eagles close out the year with a 2-24 overall record.
