PUEBLO, Colo. (November 13, 2015) - Playing in her first regular season game since the 2013-2014 season, No.15/23 Lubbock Christian University's
Nicole Hampton registered her 33rd career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds to help the Lady Chaparrals claim their first season-opening road victory since the 2006-2007 season with a 68-43 win over Colorado State University - Pueblo Friday evening at Massari Arena.
LCU opened the game with a 6-0 lead and held the Thunderwolves off the scoreboard for the first 3:55 of the game. The T-wolves opened the game 1-of-13 from the field and 0-of-6 from the free-throw line, but back-to back three-pointers for CSU-Pueblo, with just over two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, led to a 9-9 tie. LCU opened the second quarter with a 14-10 lead, but a 6-0 run to start the second quarter had CSU-Pueblo leading 16-14.
With 7:20 remaining in the second quarter, LCU had already accumulated 13 turnovers. They would go the remainder of the quarter turnover free and after a media timeout with the game tied 16-16, LCU ended the half with a 14-4 run. Part of the run included CSU-P without a field goal for a span of 5:15. LCU led 30-20 at the half.
CSU-Pueblo was playing their first game under new head coach Jim Turgeon and LCU was not sure what to expect. The Lady Chaps used the halftime to adjust and came out with a strong second half performance. Leading 32-26, LCU went on a 10-2 run and ended the quarter with a 51-33 lead. The Lady Chaps were 7-of-11 (63.6%) shooting in the fourth quarter (held CSU-P to 3-of-15 for 20% from the field in the quarter) to distance themselves for the win.
Tess Bruffey led LCU with 11 points in the second half.
LCU combined to shoot 62.5% (15/24) in the second half and held CSU-P to a 25.7% (9/35) shooting mark in the half (1/9 from three-point range). Overall, LCU was 50% (24/48) from the field and 84.2% (16/19) from the free-throw line. It was a different story for the T-wolves who finished the game 26.2% (17/65) from the field and 31.3% (5/16) from the free-throw line. The five free-throws made for CSU-P was the fewest free-throw total by an LCU opponent, with at least 10 attempts, since Westmont was held to five on Mar. 17, 2012. The 31.3% was the lowest percentage by an LCU opponent since Northwestern Okla. State was 18.8% (3/16) on Jan. 20, 2011. LCU was able to garner the 25-point win despite committing 23 turnovers and opening the game 0-of-7 from three-point range (responded going 4-of-8 the rest of the way from downtown).
Hampton was one of three Lady Chaps in double figures offensively, as she was joined by Bruffey (15 points) and
Haley Fowler (10 points). The game was Hampton's 72nd career game with at least 10 points, 16th career game with at least 20 points and 36th career game with at least 10 rebounds. Tuileisu Anderson led CSU-Pueblo with 12 points and Molly Rohrer provided 10 points in the loss. The 43 points matched last season's season low for scoring for CSU-P.
LCU improves to 24-13 all-time in openers and 8-5 under head coach
Steve Gomez. The Lady Chaps, who entered the game dropping five of their last eight season openers, last won a season opener on the road at LSU-Shreveport to open the 2006-2007 season. LCU opens the season 1-0, while CSU-P, who defeated a pair of NCAA Division I programs in exhibition play, opens the regular season 0-1. The meeting was the first between the two teams since Dec. 2, 2005. It was LCU's first ever win in Pueblo and their first win over CSU-Pueblo (once known as Southern Colorado) since Dec. 7, 2002. The all-time series is now tied 3-3.
The Lady Chaps wrap up their opening week of play Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (Central) in Pueblo with a neutral site contest against Metropolitan State University of Denver. Metro State opened their season in Pueblo with a 63-59 loss to Texas A&M Commerce.
TURNING POINTA 14-4 LCU run following a media timeout with 4:51 to go in the second quarter as the game was tied 16-16. Just prior to the game tied 16-16, CSU-P had their only lead of the game. The two-point lead only 26 seconds and the run to close the half quickly regained the momentum for LCU.
STAT OF THE GAME16: CSU-P had 16 offensive rebounds (LCU had 11 offensive boards), yet the T-wolves could only score one second-chance point and was out-scored 13-1 by LCU in second-chance scoring.
LCU IN THE RANKINGS23 - USA Today Poll
15 - D2SIDA Poll
