Box Score CLAREMORE, Okla. (January 14, 2016) – Lubbock Christian University was able to overcome a halftime deficit for the first time this season and Nicole Hampton set a program single-game record with 15 successful free throw attempts in a 68-59 Heartland Conference road victory at Rogers State, who was previously unbeaten this season at Claremore Expo Center.
 
In 52 prior quarters played this season, LCU had only trailed at the conclusion of one quarter (first quarter at St. Mary's on Dec. 19, 2015). Thursday, LCU found themselves playing from behind most of the first half.  The Lady Chaps had a miserable start, opening the game 3-of-11 (27.3%) from the field in the first quarter of play. Meanwhile, RSU, who opened the game with a three-pointer from Courtney Smith, went 3-for-5 from long-range in the quarter for a 17-12 lead.  The Lady Chaps went a span of 7:45 without a field goal and found themselves trailing 19-12 two minutes into the second quarter. Tess Bruffey had a pair of field goals to serve as bookends of the dry spell.  Bruffey's field goal to end the drought turned out to be the first of three LCU field goals in a span of over a minute leading to an 8-0 run for a 20-18 lead. RSU responded back with an 8-0 run of their own and led as much as 29-22 in the quarter before LCU closed the half on a 7-1 run to trail 30-29 at the half.
 
LCU went on a 7-of-10 shooting stretch in the third quarter, and back-to-back three-pointers by Tess Bruffey sparked a 16-5 run to help LCU rally from behind and take a 45-35 lead. The 16-5 run was also part of 23-6 scoring run carrying over from the close of the second half for LCU. The Lady Chaps out-scored RSU 10-0 in paint scoring and led 47-39 heading into the fourth quarter. LCU led as much as 11 (56-45) in the fourth quarter, but RSU didn't back away, as they responded from an 11-point deficit with an 8-2 run and cut LCU's lead to 58-53 with 4:23 to go. LCU kept their distance with free-throw shooting.  A three-pointer by Kelsey Hoppel with 3:59 left was LCU's final field goal of the game. They scored their final seven points from the free-throw line to preserve the victory.
 
Hampton nearly completed a rare feat, as she was a rebound and a pair of assists away from a triple-double. What she did complete found its way into the program record books. Hampton broke her own single-game program mark (14, which was also shared by Becky Hinojos) with 15 free throws made. She drained the 15 free throws on 17 attempts to tie the program single-game mark for attempts (last completed on Mar. 1, 2002 by Mamy N'Kolomoni).  The 15 made free throws ranks tied as the fourth most in a Heartland Conference contest in conference history. The mark is also tied as the third most by a NCAA Div. II player this season. She finished the game with a game-high 21 points and also produced nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
 
The Lady Chaps went 19-of-27 (70.4%) from the line as a team, going 10-of-12 (83.3%) in the second half. RSU was 8-of-11 (72.7%) from the line, which was a season-high by a Chaps opponent. Bruffey joined Hampton in double figures with 18 points. She matched a career high with three three-pointers. She also had four blocks. Kellyn Schneider produced a game-high 12 rebounds. Kami Bunch led RSU with 20 points and Natasha Kindred provided 12 points in the loss (all 12 came in the fourth quarter).
 
LCU improved to 14-0 with the win and they are 6-0 in conference play. RSU, 8-5 overall and 3-3 in conference, fell for the first time at home (6-1) this season. The win was LCU's sixth consecutive win over RSU and they have won nine of the last 10 meetings.
 
The Lady Chaps head to Fort Smith, Ark. Saturday to face Arkansas-Fort Smith at 5 p.m. The game features a clash between last season's regular season conference co-champions, and the game will air on Fox 34 News Now as part of a national broadcast conducted by American Sports Network.
 
TURNING POINT
Of LCU's 12 field goals in the second half, five were three-pointers, including a pair of back-to-back three-pointers by Bruffey to highlight a 16-5 third quarter run. The two treys came 34 seconds apart and each were attempted with LCU leading by one point.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
LCU was 42.9% (21/49) from the field, which the was best shooting mark by a Hillcats opponent this season (no Hillcats opponent had shot better than 40% against them this season).