LANCASTER, Pa. (March 23, 2026) – Lancaster Bible College’s men’s basketball team captured the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I National Championship on Saturday, March 21, defeating Columbia International University 82-75, to secure the program’s first-ever Division I national title.

The Chargers entered the NCCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed, with the event hosted by College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo. LBC opened the tournament with an 89-87 victory over No. 6 seed Clinton College (S.C.) on Wednesday, as junior guard Camden Hurst, a Lancaster native and Lancaster Mennonite graduate, scored the game-winning layup with six seconds remaining in regulation.

The Chargers advanced to the championship game with a 98-91 semifinal win over No. 7 seed Nelson American Indian College (Ariz.) on Thursday.

“I am very proud of our team for embracing the NCCAA postseason opportunity and allowing God to use us in a different way than what we originally planned,” said Head Coach Jon Mack. “Brian Smith, the author of ‘The Christian Athlete,’ writes, ‘When something bad happens you have three choices. You either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.’ Today, we experienced greater strength and faith in God for what He did through us this season to impact others for Christ. The great moment of winning the national championship today will eventually fade, but the journey of how God used us this season to further His Kingdom will last forever.”

Hurst led LBC in the championship game with 27 points and five rebounds, earning Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Senior Reaves Hooks and junior Bennett Bowers each added 15 points in the victory. Junior Connor Storr was also named to the NCCAA All-Tournament Team, averaging 13.7 points per game and recording two double-doubles during the tournament. Hurst averaged a team-best 23.3 points per game across the three contests.

Mack earned his first NCCAA National Championship in his seventh season at the helm and recorded his 128th career victory, the second-most wins by a head coach in program history.

LBC concludes the 2025-26 season with a 23-8 overall record and an 11-2 mark in United East Conference play.

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Founded in 1933, Lancaster Bible College provides an accredited university-level education for multiple careers with a focus on the Bible and a biblical worldview, Christ and Christian character. LBC’s mission is to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society. In 2025, LBC introduced its new tagline, “Experience Different,” which highlights the college’s four key differentiators – biblical integration, authentic community, relational education and exceptional location.

Accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation, LBC is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International. Specialized accreditations are also in the areas of: Social Work (Council on Social Work Education), Music, Worship & Performing Arts (National Association of Schools of Music) and Sport Management (Commission on Sport Management Accreditation).

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