ARKANSAS-FORT SMITH (17-5, 10-4 Heartland) at LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (15-7, 9-5 Heartland)
Thursday, February 11 at 8 p.m.
Lubbock, Texas (Rip Griffin Center)
TV: FOX34 News Now
Radio: AM950/100.7FM
All-time Series: Tied 2-2

History between Lubbock Christian and Arkansas-Fort Smith
Lubbock Christian and Arkansas-Fort Smith began their short history together during the 2013-14 season when the Chaps joined the Heartland Conference. LCU recorded the first victory, 85-82, on February 1, 2014, and continued into the following season with a 71-63 win over the Lions on January 17, 2015. UAFS holds the rights to the most recent wins, a narrow 62-59 defeat of LCU on February 12, 2015, and this season's 84-74 Lion win in Fort Smith.

Last meeting amongst the squads
Fort Smith, Ark. (January 16, 2016) – The Chaparrals of Lubbock Christian University tied a team season-high in three pointers by knocking down 12-of-22 from behind the arc while Marcus Arrington matched his career-high of 18 points, but it was not enough as LCU fell 84-74 to Arkansas-Fort Smith Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd inside the Stubblefield Center to even their mark in the Heartland standings.
The Chaps' (10-6, 4-4 Heartland) improved shooting performance from the field was overshadowed by a 10-of-17 showing from the free throw line compared to the Lions' 20 makes on 23 tries. UAFS (13-3, 6-2 Heartland) also took advantage of 19 Chap turnovers by converting them into 26 points. The two losses accumulated this week by LCU mirror last season's road trip to UAFS and Rogers State where the Chaps returned home from the long trip 0-2.

Tight race in the Heartland
This season the conference has changed the postseason tournament from a four-team tournament at the number-one seed to an eight-team neutral site format. Considering halfway through this season only three games separate the top team from the current sixth place squad, the switch is a welcome change.
As of February 10, Dallas Baptist holds down the number one spot at 11-3 while Arkansas-Fort Smith and Rogers State, who is not eligible for postseason play, are in second at 10-4. LCU is next at alongside Texas A&M International at 9-5 and St. Edward's sits at 8-6.

Shared scoring of the Chaps
During LCU's 22 contests of 2015-16, seven Chaps have stepped up to lead the squad in scoring. Tyler Rogers has tallied top honors eight times, and A.J. Luckey is close behind with seven; Marcus Arrington has on five occasions, while Isaac Cardona and Marcos Schuster have each carried the team in three games. Ridrell Holman and Matthew Alford each have notched a team-high in points once.

Road woes for LCU
The Chaps have performed well inside the Rip Griffin Center this season by compiling a 10-1 record, with the only loss coming at the hands of then fifth-ranked Angelo State in overtime.
Contests outside of Lubbock have not treated LCU as well as the Chaps have gone 4-6, including 3-5 in Heartland play.
On the road, LCU averages 14 less points than at home, shoots sevent percent less from the field, takes a 10-percent hit from the three-point line and pulls down six less rebounds.