LUBBOCK, Texas (November 21, 2015) – Tess Bruffey was able to score six of her 20 points in overtime and Lubbock Christian University bent but did not break, as they did not relinquish the lead when tied on five second-half situations and survived for an 82-76 overtime win over Fort Lewis College Saturday night inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
Tied 69-69 entering the extra session, Haley Fowler tallied a layup 14 seconds into overtime and sparked a 9-1 run to open overtime. It was the separation needed for LCU, who let go of a 10-point second half lead and played the final seven minutes of regulation played in a game never separated by more than four points.
 
LCU opened the fourth quarter leading 54-48 and led 57-52 with 7:07 to go, but Kylie Santos, entering the game leading the Skyhawks in scoring, hit a three-pointer for her first points of the game. The Skyhawks followed with a steal and jumper by Dallas Dickerson to tie the game 57-57 with 6:13 remaining. A see-saw battle ensued and free-throws by Kellyn Schneider gave LCU a 69-65 lead with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. Mary Rambo scored a pair of her game-high 21 points with a layup and FLC forced Blair Taylor into a turnover with eight seconds left, resulting in a Kate Bayes layup with a second remaining to force overtime.
 
Fort Lewis was never able to get a lead past halftime, but they led early on, leading 11-4 with 3:51 to go in the opening quarter. LCU responded with a 10-0 run and led 14-13 at the close of the first quarter. Rambo gave the Skyhawks a 15-14 lead to open the second quarter, but it was eventually their final lead. Three-pointers by Kelsey Hoppel and Taylor was part of a 9-0 run by LCU and they led as much as 28-18 before taking a 32-25 lead at halftime. Dickerson was able to drain a long distance three-pointer at the buzzer, which proved valuable.
 
The Skyhawks were whistled for 28 fouls in the game and it led to 40 free-throw attempts by LCU. They made 29 of the 40 attempts, with Nicole Hampton (11/12) and Bruffey (11/16) combining for 22 made free-throws. Bruffey was one make and attempt each away from tying a Rip Griffin Center record. Fouls were a factor as Astrea Read fouled out in the fourth quarter with 18 points.
 
LCU was 7-of-16 (43.8%) from three-point range and 46% (23/50) from the field. They were out-rebounded 44-36, with FLC taking advantage of 17 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points.
 
Rambo led all scorers and FLC also received 18 points from Read and 12 points from Dickerson, who had two of the team's five three-pointers (5/22, 22.7%). Bruffey was two points shy of her career high and just missed a double-double finishing with nine rebounds. Hampton finished with 18 points, and Hoppel (17 points) and Fowler (14 points) each finished in double figures offensively.
 
The overtime contest for LCU was their first since a 73-71 overtime loss at home to Tarleton State on Nov. 28, 2014, and their first overtime win since an 81-75 victory at St. Edward's on Jan. 16, 2014. LCU improved to 4-0 with the win, which resulted in FLC's first loss (3-1). The meeting was the first between the two teams since Nov. 17, 2006 and it was the Skyhawks first trip to Lubbock since Nov. 17, 2006. LCU, now 2-0 at home, hits the road again heading to Winter Park, Fla., where they face Clayton State Friday at 2 p.m. on the campus of Rollins College.
 
TURNING POINT
Fort Lewis was able to rally in the second half due to ball security. The Skyhawks  committed 10 turnovers in the first half and then went a span of 16:52 without a turnover. Turnovers turned out to be a factor for FLC, as a turnover in overtime led to FLC going a  span of 3:51 without a field goal in overtime. LCU was on a 9-2 run during that overtime span.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
LCU's 40 free-throw attempts was the most since attempting 42 on Dec. 6, 2013 at Arkansas – Fort Smith.