SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (November 25, 2016) – Jure Prus of Northwood University (Mich.) hit a 55-foot heave at the horn to force overtime and Lubbock Christian University would be without the lead until 4.5 seconds remained, as Marcos Schuster capped a game-high 24-point performance with an old-fashioned three-point-play to open their stay at the Puerto Rico Clasico with a 76-75 win Friday afternoon. The win, which was LCU's first game played away from home, extends their win streak to five wins.
 
Brennen Fowler was right behind Schuster with 21 points and 13 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Lubbock Christian was held to their lowest field goal percentage of the season (39.7%) on 27-of-68 shooting.
 
Lubbock Christian's offense looked like they were shot out of a cannon as they scurried to a 13-2 lead at the 13:32 mark of the first half (LCU opened with an 11-0 run). The Timberwolves finally found their rhythm with back-to-back three pointers from Kyle Lamotte and PJ Weaver to cut into the Chaps lead. Northwood's Kyle Godfrey drained his second trey of the game to give the Timberwolves their first lead of the contest at 18-17 with 7:23 left in the first half. Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath stepped up and knocked down a three-pointer to help the Chaps regain the lead at 22-20. Zach Allread netted consecutive three-pointers to give the Timberwolves their last lead of the half and help NU coast to a 32-30 lead at the break.
 
Northwood found their range and picked the Chaps apart by shooting 6-of-15 (40%) from behind the arc. Lubbock Christian found themselves in uncharted territory as they were outrebounded 22-14 in the first period. The Chaparrals pressured Northwood and forced the Timberwolves into 10 turnovers. Marcus Arrington and Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath knocked down the Chaps only three-pointers of the half.
 
It was Marcus Arrington that drilled a pair of free throws to give the Chaps an early 36-34 lead two minutes into the second period. A Schuster three-pointer sparked an LCU run before a Gilbreath "and-one" gave the Chaparrals a six-point lead, their largest of the half at 44-38. Both squads battled and traded leads for the remainder of the half and LCU gradually grabbed the momentum off a pair of three-pointers by Schuster and one by Gilbreath in the final 3:35. Isaac Cardona netted a free throw to give Lubbock Christian a 63-60 lead with one second left to play. Cardona missed on his second free throw attempt and the Timberwolves quickly rebounded and called a timeout with one second left on the clock. It set up the inbound and shot by Jure Prus from his own backcourt that gave new life to the Timberwolves and tied up the score at 63-63.
 
Northwood's Nick Spitzley opened up the scoring in the overtime period with a three-pointer at the 4:15 mark. Not to be shown up, Lubbock Christian's Fowler ripped his second three pointer of the year to tie up the contest 66-66 with 2:57 left in the period. The Timberwolves regained their lead with a Spitzley free throw to put NU up 75-73 with 14 seconds left to play. LCU would not go away and Schuster attacked the net to collect a layup and a foul with 4.5 seconds remaining. With the game tied up again at 75-75, Schuster drilled a clutch free throw to give the Chaparrals a 76-75 lead. This closed out the contest and gave Lubbock Christian their fifth straight win and a 5-2 record.
 
The Chaps finished the game shooting 27-68 (39%) and 34% from downtown. Schuster's 24 points were capitalized by four treys and 6-8 free throws. Fowler and Cardona each pulled down 13 rebounds while the Chaps were outrebounded 48-43 for the first game of the season. In addition to his double-double, Fowler also added four blocks for LCU. This was the lowest scoring victory for Lubbock Christian, and was highlighted by three Chaps scoring in double figures.
 
The Chaps will close out their Puerto Rico play tomorrow against No. 17 Washburn University. LCU will have a quick turnaround, as tip off will be at 10:00 am inside Roberto Clemente Coliseum.