LUBBOCK, Texas (February 13, 2016) – It is fitting that the day before Valentine's Day that the No.1/2 Lady Chaparrals got their "heart." Lubbock Christian University used a 26-0 advantage in points off turnovers and claimed their second consecutive Heartland Conference Regular Season title with an 89-41 win over Rogers State University Saturday afternoon inside Rip Griffin Center.
This season marks LCU's third season in the Heartland Conference and for a third straight season they will finish atop the conference standings. LCU was unable to claim the distinction as "regular season conference champions" until last season, so technically this title marks LCU's second consecutive conference regular season title. Overall, it is the fourth conference regular season title in program history. LCU claimed Sooner Athletic Conference titles in 2007 and 2012.
There was little question if LCU would clinch the title Saturday. After surrendering a 5-0 lead, they answered a RSU 6-0 run with an 8-0 run.
Nicole Hampton had seven points in the first quarter and they closed the first quarter with a 15-4 run to end the quarter with a 20-10 lead.
After opening the game 1-of-5 from the field, they closed the half 15-of-23 (65%) from the field. Hampton had 14 points in 19 minutes with five assists in the half. LCU led 46-20 at the half after an 18-4 run to start the second quarter.
Blair Taylor (six) and Hampton (eight) combined for 14 points in the second quarter.
The Lady Chaps were 9-of-12 from the field in the third quarter and
Kelsey Hoppel hit a pair of three-pointers to help LCU out-score RSU 19-10 in the third quarter. LCU went on a 12-0 run over a span of 4:31 carrying over from the third quarter to the fourth quarter. The Lady Chaps went to their bench most of the second half and the bench players took advantage of the playing opportunity. LCU produced 40 points in the game from their bench, with 24 of those 40 points coming in the second half. Nineteen of LCU's 24 points in the fourth quarter came from the bench.
LCU produced some lopsided numbers in the victory. The Lady Chaps shot 58.2% (32/55) from the field and went 59.3% (16/27) in the second half, while RSU was 28.6% (16/56) from the field. LCU assisted on 26 of 32 field goals with 11 different players gathering an assist. They also produced 12 blocks, with
Kellyn Schneider matching a career high (for a fourth time) with eight blocks. LCU forced 21 turnovers and took advantage of 13 steals with a 26-0 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.
Hampton led LCU with 14 points and seven assists.
Kelsey Hoppel and
Hannah Harbin each finished with 10 points. Harbin's season high marked her fifth career game with at least 10 points (playing in her 75
th career game). LCU received points from 13 of their 14 players that touched the floor and 10 of the players had at least five points. RSU was led by Heather Roberts, who had eight points.
LCU improved to 22-0 overall and 14-0 in the conference while RSU fell to 12-10 overall and 7-8 in conference. LCU hits the road and will face St. Edward's Thursday in Austin.
TURNING POINTRSU was hanging around in the first quarter and attempting to regain the lead until LCU went a stretch of 8:26 over the opening two quarters out-scoring RSU 21-4 for a 41-16 LCU lead.
STAT OF THE GAMENicole Hampton had a near perfect game. She was 5-of-5 from the field (including 1-for-1 from three-point range), 3-of-3 from the free-throw line, produced a block and steal and seven assists while committing no turnovers.
