It was a moment in time. It was a momentous moment, but a moment, nonetheless.

In many ways, everything had led up to this for the Lancaster Bible College (LBC) men's basketball squad. Now, it's a recent memory upon which all future moments will be judged.

"It was a great moment," said Jon Mack, who's been LBC's head coach for seven years. "It's something you'll remember, but the journey ranks up there just as high. That journey was filled with highs and lows and a lot of character development in the process. It wasn't the ultimate goal we set for ourselves. Hopefully, it'll be something our guys will be able to draw from in their careers and with their families."

In late March, the Chargers captured the Division One national championship of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in Branson, Mo. Third-seeded LBC defeated Columbia International 82-75 in the final game of the eight-team, single-elimination tournament.

Junior Camden Hurst, a graduate of Lancaster Mennonite School, poured in 27 points for LBC in the national championship game, snagged five rebounds and dished out two assists. Teammates Reaves Hooks and Bennett Bowers each scored 15 points for the Chargers.

LBC opened a 37-27 halftime margin and held Columbia International to 37% shooting for the game.

In addition to the national championship, LBC ended its 2025-26 campaign with a 23-8 overall record.

"We played well, we got off to a really good start and we complemented each other well," said Mack. "Against Columbia International, we were outsized at every position. We really had to commit to pressure, and our pace of play gave them problems. We put bodies on their guys in the paint and made them work. The confidence just built throughout the game. We never allowed them to get the lead; we always had a response."

There are about 100 small colleges from across the country affiliated with the NCCAA. The Chargers, who received an at-large bid into the NCCAA's Division One national tournament, were the only team at the event whose program doesn't offer scholarships.

In 2015, LBC won the NCCAA Division Two national championship.

"For this team, it was a wall we felt like we had to break through," said Mack. "We felt we did a lot of good things throughout the season. Breaking through and getting that national championship was a break-through for our kids. It was an accomplishment because we played three tough teams (at the tournament). Being able to win it with this group was a pretty cool moment."

"We found ourselves in the national championship game, and we said, 'Why not? Let's win it,'" added Mack.

The 2025-26 version of the LBC men's basketball program was made up of 18 players, five coaches and a team manager - 24 individuals with a shared purpose pooling their talents and pulling together toward a common goal.

"They're guys who fit who we are," said Mack. "They are driven by the vision in our program. But they're guided by our purpose, which exceeds more than wins. We want to display that when people see us playing. Anytime you play in a national tournament, your platform is expanded."

The Chargers' goal entering the season wasn't necessarily to win a national championship, but neither was the possibility of it ruled out.

"I expected us to have success," said Mack. "I expected us to be prepared for our conference play. Our success starts with the leadership of our captains. We really harped on our level of accountability. I think our captains did a good job of leading in the right ways. We had a group of guys who played hard and together. If you compete, you have a chance to win. I felt like we competed this year."

LBC won six of its first nine games of the season. But it may have been a 6-2 run through its nonconference schedule that prepared the Chargers for their postseason glory.

"We learned how to win in the postseason," said Mack. "I think at the end of the season we prepared better. I think mentally, our guys are better when we're clicking. What we accomplished was a cool moment, but the process was what mattered most."