PHOENIXVILLE, PA – The Valley Forge Christian College men's basketball team fell just shy of their fourth consecutive East Region championship on Saturday. The Patriots fell in the championship game, 64-62, to Lancaster Bible College.
A year ago, the Patriots pulled off a 71-70 victory at the Pit to win the 2010 East Region championship against Lancaster Bible College. Mid-February of this season, the Patriots escaped with a 53-52 victory on the road against the Chargers. This time around, the Lancaster Bible Chargers were the fortunate ones, as they defeated the Patriots, 64-62, in front of a frenzied crowd at the “Pit”.
The Valley Forge Patriots led throughout the majority of the contest, with Lancaster Bible constantly playing catch-up. Lancaster Bible tied the game on several occasions and even took a slight lead a few times. The Patriots seemed in control for the most part.
However, in the late stages of the game and the game tied, Lancaster Bible scored timely baskets.
With just under four minutes remaining in the 2011 NCCAA Division II East Region championship game, the score was tied 56-56.
More than two minutes later, the score was still tied, 56-56.
The tension was palpable and only increased when Lancaster Bible's Madison Warfel drilled a three-pointer with a minute and a half remaining.
Soon after, the Patriots answered with a lay-up by freshman guard Lance Harris. The Patriots desperately needed a defensive stop and a score to retake the lead. Latrell Alford stole the ball, but the Patriots weren't able to convert.
Still trailing by one point (61-60), the Patriots were forced to foul. Kevin Keltner would make both free-throws to extend Lancaster Bible's lead by three points (63-60).
On the ensuing possession, Latrell Alford was fouled while shooting a three-pointer with about two seconds remaining. Latrell made his first two free-throws before Lancaster Bible called a time-out. The Patriots trailed 62-63.
After the time-out, Latrell returned to the free-throw line where his third free-throw rimmed out. Still trailing, 63-62, Michael Stum grabbed the rebound but was called for an offensive foul with just a couple ticks remaining on the clock. Lancaster Bible made one free-throw to gain a 2-point cushion (64-62) and the Patriots' desperation heave hit the rim and bounced away from the basket.
Freshman Isaac Ransom led the Patriots in scoring with 14 points. Ransom drilled four three-pointers. Ransom also recorded five rebounds and three assists.
Sophomore Donnell Davis also recorded double-digits with 13 points. Davis finished with a team-high five assists.
Junior Latrell Alford tacked on four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.
Collectively, the Patriots finished with an undesirable shooting percentage of 36.9%. The Patriots shot 9-for-30 (30.0%) from the perimeter and 5-for-16 (31.3%) from the free-throw line. The Patriots won the rebounding battle, but their shooting woes made it difficult to secure the victory.
With the loss, the Patriots failed to earn the automatic bid to the NCCAA Division II National Tournament. However, in lieu of their performance throughout the season, the Patriots received an at large invitation to the national tournament to be held in Springfield, MO.
