SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (March 23, 2016) – No.1 Lubbock Christian University forced 14 steals and used a 14-4 second quarter run to punch their ticket to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship Game with a 67-57 win over Bentley University in the Elite Eight Tournament Semifinal Wednesday night inside Sanford Pentagon. LCU will face University of Alaska Anchorage on Apr. 4 at 2 p.m. inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
 
A defensive first quarter set the tone for the contest, as the first points of the game did not come until 3:39 into the contest off a Tess Bruffey field goal for LCU. The Lady Chaps led 8-3 heading into the first media timeout, but the long timeout interrupted their 4-0 run and Bentley responded by outscoring LCU 7-2 to tie the game 10-10 to end the quarter.
 
LCU found their offense in the second quarter, going 9-of-18 from the field and getting 13 points in the quarter from Kelsey Hoppel, who was 4-of-6 from the field in the quarter.  They opened the first 3:24 of the quarter with a 14-4 run and led Bentley 24-14. Hoppel highlighted the run with back-to-back three-pointers. The Lady Chaps outscored the Falcons 28-12 in the quarter and took a 38-22 lead into the half.
 
Despite shooting 50% in the second quarter, LCU hit a scoring drought late in the quarter, which carried into the second half. In a span of 10 minutes, LCU was 4-of-16 (25%) from the field. They closed the second quarter 1-of-8 and opened the third quarter 3-of-8 during the span. Despite the scoring fitfulness, LCU still managed to outscore Bentley 18-16 during the span. LCU was able to get back on track late in the third quarter converting on four straight field goal attempts (all four from different individuals, including Hampton, who was 3-of-3 from the field in the quarter).
 
LCU had their biggest lead at 58-36 with 8:44 to go in the game and Bentley made a late run with LCU slowing down the tempo to run clock. The Lady Chaps scored their final field goal with 4:15 remaining and scored their final five points from the free-throw line. Bentley outscored LCU 18-7 over the final 6:45 of the game.
 
Lubbock Christian University was held to their lowest shooting percentage in 19 games, going 43.1% (25/58) from the field. Their defense held Bentley to 37.3% (22/59) for the game. LCU was 51.1% (22/43) from inside the arc and had a 44-32 scoring advantage in the paint.
 
Hampton led LCU with 21 points and produced seven rebounds. Hoppel had a career high six steals to go along with her 20 points. Haley Fowler joined Hoppel and Hampton in double figures with 12 points. LCU's Blair Taylor had a career high four steals to help LCU produce 16 steals and outscore Bentley 17-6 in points off turnovers.
 
Bentley, whose season ends at 29-6, was led by Jenna Gemma. The All-American had a game high 25 points for the Falcons, who were making their NCAA Division II record 32^nd national tournament appearance. Bentley is the winningest program in NCAA Division II with 1,006 program wins.
 
LCU, in their first season eligible for NCAA postseason, is making their second national title game appearance in program history. In 2006, LCU advanced to the NAIA championship game and fell to Union (Tenn.). LCU (34-0) becomes the first Heartland Conference team since Drury in 2004 to reach the title game. Drury finished as the runner up to champion California (Pa.).
 
Alaska Anchorage advances to the title game following a 67-47 win over Grand Valley State. They are making their first championship game appearance in program history.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's 14-4 run in the second quarter included an 8-of-10 shooting performance from the field. Hoppel scored eight consecutive points during a stretch in which LCU made five consecutive field goals.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
With the score tied 10-10, it marked the first time this season LCU had been tied with an opponent at the end of the first quarter. LCU has gone 82 consecutive quarters without trailing at the end of the quarter.