LUBBOCK, Texas (November 19, 2016) – No.11 Lubbock Christian University outscored Texas Permian Basin 40-6 in the paint and received a combined 29 points from Allison Szabo (15 points) and Bobbi Chitsey (14 points) to close the Arbor Hotels Classic with a 61-37 win Saturday evening at Rip Griffin Center.
 
In the fourth quarter, LCU was 66.7% from the field and had nearly just as many field goals (10) in the quarter as UTPB had in the entire game (12).  Szabo and Chitsey each had six points in the quarter, as LCU outscored the Falcons 21-5 in the quarter (16-2 scoring advantage in the paint).
 
The game had early signs of an LCU blowout after LCU opened with a 7-2 lead, but UTPB battled back. The Falcons answered with a 6-2 run and LCU led 12-8 after the opening quarter. LCU opened the second quarter with free throws from Tess Bruffey to lead 14-8, but the lead would turn out to be their largest lead of the first half. Briana Caro hit back-to-back three-pointers for UTPB and tied the game 14-14. She ended up with nine points in the quarter for UTPB. Hannah Harbin, who led LCU in first half scoring with seven points, hit LCU's only three-pointer in the first half and it was the difference to give LCU a 24-21 halftime lead.
 
The Falcons opened the second half with a 5-0 run capped by a Niva Taito three-pointer and took a 26-24 lead. LCU went the opening four minutes of the half without a field goal, but once Delaney Gaddis hit a jumper to end the dry spell, the Lady Chaps responded with a 14-1 run. LCU led 40-32 at the end of the third quarter. Over the final seven minutes, LCU went on a 19-2 run to close the game surging to the 61-37 final.
 
LCU shot 54.8% (17/31) in the second half and finished the game 44.4% (24/54) from the field (LCU was 50% from the field, 22-of-44, inside the arc). UTPB, with five field goals in the second half, was 23.1% (12/52) from the field in the game. Taito was UTPB's leading scorer with 10 points.
 
Tess Bruffey, playing in her second game of the season, recorded her second straight double-double with 14 rebounds and 10 points. She also had three blocks and a game high four assists. Szabo and Chitsey also finished with eight rebounds each. 
 
LCU improved to 2-2 with the win and they won their 26^th consecutive home game. UTPB, playing their first season as a member of the Lone Star Conference, fell to 2-3 on the season. LCU is 19-0 all-time against the Falcons.
 
TURNING POINT
Chitsey and Szabo proved to be the turning point in the second half, as the two players combined for 22 points in the second half. Chitsey was 4-of-5 from the field in the second half and Szabo was 6-of-11 in the half, as the two players combined for a 10-of-16 (62.5%) shooting in the half.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
For the first time this season, LCU out-rebounded an opponent, with a 48-27 rebounding advantage. Twelve of the 48 rebounds were offensive rebounds. The 21 rebound differential was the highest advantage in rebounding since outrebounding Oklahoma Panhandle State 55-21 on Jan. 28, 2016.
 
NEXT
The Lady Chaps remain home Monday and will host former Sooner Athletic Conference rival Wayland Baptist at 6 p.m.