TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL (18-9, 13-6 Heartland) at LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (19-8, 13-6 Heartland)Saturday, February 27 at 2 p.m.
Lubbock, Texas (Rip Griffin Center)
All-time Series: LCU leads 3-2
History between Lubbock Christian and Texas A&M International
LCU began playing Texas A&M International during 2013-14, the year the Chaps joined the Heartland Conference. LCU holds a 3-2 advantage over the Dustdevils throughout the three seasons.
Last meeting amongst the squads
Laredo, Texas (December 17, 2015) - A lowly offensive output hindered Lubbock Christian University in a 61-49 loss to Texas A&M International in the Heartland Conference opener for both squads Thursday night at United High School, as the Chaps connected on a season-low 14 field goals while
A.J. Luckey was the only LCU double-digit scorer with his team-high 10 points.
MBB reaps first ranking
Lubbock Christian University men's basketball received its first ranking since entering the realm of the NCAA in 2015-16 as the Chaparrals were slated in the sixth spot within the South Central regional ranks on February 17.
Last week's release marked the first time the Chaps have garnered recognition in the polls since their initial transition into the NCAA during the 2013-14 season.
The regional rankings consist of the top 10 teams in each of the eight respective regions: Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South Central, South, Southeast and West. Following the conclusion of conference tournaments in the upcoming weeks, the top eight teams in each region move on to regional tournaments.
The South Central Region is comprised of the Heartland, Lone Star and Rocky Mountain Conferences. Angelo State (Lone Star) currently owns the number one spot while Dallas Baptist (Heartland) and Fort Lewis (Rocky Mountain) round out the top three.
The Chaps slid down to the seventh spot in this Wednesday's release following a 1-1 showing last week.
Fowler on the rise
Since being inserted into the starting lineup versus Arkansas-Fort Smith two weeks ago, freshman
Brennen Fowler has been a force for the Chaps. Prior to his starting campaign, the forward was averaging 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12 minutes of action per game, and within the last five games has risen those numbers to 7.1 and 4.8 per while playing an average of 30 minutes. Â
Folwer has recorded five straight double-doubles since debuting within the first five. The Symer High School product has produced averages of 18 points and 12 rebounds over the last four contests, highlighted by a career-high 35 points at Texas-Permian Basin Saturday.
Following his performances versus UAFS and Rogers State two weeks ago, Fowler netted Heartland Conference Player of the Week honors.
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 only two games separate the top team from the current fifth place squad, the switch is a welcome change.
As of February 26, Dallas Baptist and Arkansas-Fort Smith hold down the number one spot at 14-5 Rogers State, who is not eligible for postseason play, is second at 13-5. LCU and Texas A&M International are next at 13-6 followed by St. Edward's at 10-9.
Shared scoring of the Chaps
During LCU's 25 contests of 2015-16, eight Chaps have stepped up to lead the squad in scoring.
A.J. Luckey has tallied top honors nine times, while
Tyler Rogers is close behind at eight.
Marcus Arrington has on five occasions, while
Isaac Cardona and
Marcos Schuster have each carried the team in three games.
Ridrell Holman,
Matthew Alford and Brennen Folwer each have notched a team-high in points once.
Welcome home, Chaps
The Chaps have performed well inside the Rip Griffin Center this season by compiling a 13-1 record (9-0 in Heartland play), with the only loss coming at the hands of then fifth-ranked Angelo State in overtime.
At home, LCU scores 12 more points than on the road, shoots six percent higher from the field, connects on 10 percent more shots from three-point range and hauls in five more rebounds per game.