STEPHENVILLE, Texas (December 13, 2016) – Although a small losing streak, Lubbock Christian University's worst losing streak since 2005 came to an end Tuesday inside Wisdom Gym, as the three-game losing streak was halted by a 17-point performance by Tess Bruffey, joined by a nine-point fourth quarter from Bailey Haist and a double-double from Allison Szabo (11 rebounds, 10 points), to lead the Lady Chaparrals to a 75-66 win over Tarleton State University. The win was LCU's second ever win in Stephenville, where LCU is now 2-11 all-time.
 
LCU had to overcome a third quarter scoring surge by the TexAnns in the contest. The Lady Chaps led 44-35 with 3:40 left in the third quarter, but during a sequence of 10 consecutive TexAnn possessions, LCU was whistled for six defensive related fouls. TSU hit consecutive and-ones and eight free throws during the span and also had an 8-0 run (six of the points from the line) to take a 45-44 lead with 1:47 left in the quarter. LCU did not wait long to regain the lead. Claire Bruffey scored five straight points for LCU and jumpstarted a 6-0 run over a 1:54 span for a 52-46 LCU lead.
 
The 6-0 run eventually turned into a 14-2 run. Haist ignited in the core of the run with six straight points. She was fouled on a made three-pointer for a four-point-play and then followed with a layup 16 seconds later to give LCU a 60-47 lead with 7:31 remaining. Bailey Wipff, a Lubbock Coronado High School product, attempted to rally the TexAnns back with a 10-point fourth quarter. She had a pair of three-pointers, but the best she could do was cut LCU's lead to 59-66 with 3:45 remaining, as LCU held off TSU with 76.9% (10-of-13) shooting in the fourth quarter. They led as much as 75-61 (1:34 remaining in the game).
 
The Lady Chaps opened the game on a 6-0 run, hitting their first four field goal attempts. Bobbi Chitsey, who started in the paint, had five points in the opening 2:32 for LCU and helped LCU jump out to a 13-3 advantage. The Lady Chaps opened the game 8-of-10 from the field. Ikpeaku Iwobi helped cap a 12-4 TSU run in the second quarter, cutting the LCU lead to 24-2 with 3:19 left in the half, but LCU responded holding the TexAnns off the scoreboard the final 3:19 of the half and received a three-pointer from Allea Harris to take a 30-22 lead into the half.
 
LCU shot a season-best 50.8% from the field (30/59), shooting 56.7% in the second half. They out-rebounded TSU 41-29. TSU's Mackenzie Haley led all scorers with 19 points and capped a double-double with 10 boards. They also received 18 points from Wipff and 14 from Iwobi. Tess Bruffey led LCU with 17 points. She opened the game 1-of-7 from the field, but then tallied buckets on six of her next eight attempts to finish 7-of-15 from the field. Haist finished with 14 points and Szabo completed her second straight game with a double-double (fifth of her career) with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Hannah Harbin led LCU with five assists and did not have a turnover.
 
The Lady Chaps improved to 5-6 with the win and claimed their first win in Stephenville since Nov. 22, 2011. Overall, it was LCU's third win in the all-time series (23rd meeting). TSU fell to 4-6, suffering their second consecutive loss.
 
TURNING POINT
Bailey Haist's string of six straight points in the 14-2 third and fourth quarter run took the momentum away from TSU. LCU, 10-of-13 shooting in the fourth quarter, made a string of seven consecutive field goal attempts and opened the quarter 9-of-10 from the field.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
All of LCU's guards that played combined to go 54.8% from the field. Delaney Gaddis (3-of-4), Claire Bruffey (3-of-5), Olivia Robertson (3-of-5), Haist (5-of-8), Harbin (2-of-5) and Harris (1-of-4) made up the guard unit.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Chaps completed their pre-conference schedule and now head into a short Christmas Break before heading to St. Mary's New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) to open Heartland Conference play in San Antonio, Texas.