Box Score
PHOENIXVILLE, PA - The Patriots of Valley Forge Christian College have won the 2011-2012 NCCAA II East Region Championship after defeating the Chargers of Lancaster Bible College by a final score of 98-61 on Friday Night (Feb. 24). With tonight's win, the Patriots earn an automatic bid into the NCCAA II National Championship Tournament hosted by Central Bible College (Springfield, MO), beginning on March 6.
After beating the Chargers last week in the regular season 63-43, Valley Forge expected LBC to challenge them down to the last buzzer. Tonight would not be that night, however, as the Patriots were relentless in their defensive attack, forcing 28 LBC turnovers while committing only 12 themselves. Valley Forge would tally 21 steals on the night as well, and also out rebounded the Chargers 38-27. VFCC also had one of their best shooting performances of the season draining 36-of-70 (52%) from the field, while also hitting 20-31 (65%) from the free throw line. It seems as though the Patriots are firing on all cylinders at just the right time this season.
Valley Forge led by just five points (11-6) 5:00 into the first half, but just five minutes later, at the midpoint of the first half, had doubled their lead. It was all Patriots' basketball from there on out. As the minutes ticked away in the first half, the Chargers saw their deficit grow from 10 points (10:41), to 15 points (7:47), to 21 points (5:36), to 30 points (2:32), and at the halftime break found themselves in a 32 point hole (57-25). The LBC coaching staff had hoped that the fifteen minute breather between halves would plug the bleeding, but VFCC was unyielding on both sides of the ball. Five minutes into the second half, Valley Forge hit its biggest lead of the game and never looked back
Senior
Michael Stum was outstanding in his final game in the Pit. Stum led all scorers with his season high 30 points scored on an 11-for-17 shooting effort (65% from the field), including hitting 3-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc. He was also 5-for-8 from the charity stripe and added 6 rebounds to his season tally.
Senior
Latrell Alford had an equally impressive performance in his Pit career finale. Alford scored a career high 28 points and grabbed 6 rebounds as well. He was also 10-for-12 from the free throw line and added 5 steals to his East Region Defensive Player of the Year statistics.
Junior
Donnell Davis scored 12 points and added a game high 7 assists for the Patriots.
Sophomore
Lance Harris added 10 points in a game high 33:00 of play.
Junior
Steve Sims also recorded 5 steals on the night.
In their season finale, the Chargers were led by senior Madison Warfel who finished the game with 21 points on a 7-of-12 shooting effort including hitting 5 three-pointers. One of those three-pointers came just before the midpoint of the second half as Warfel drained his 1,000th career point. Keith Keltner finished with 20 points in the loss.
The Patriots will take the next week to prepare for the upcoming national tournament. We will be providing additional coverage, as well as a preview for their opening round game over the next few days.
GO PATRIOTS !!!
