AUSTIN, Texas (January 19, 2017) – It took a hot shooting performance on the road for Lubbock Christian University, as the Chaparrals were able to knock off Heartland Conference co-leaders St. Edward's University 90-83. The Thursday night tilt took place inside Recreation and Convocation Center and featured a 66.7% team shooting percentage from the Chaparrals. Ridrell Holman led all LCU scorers with 21 points, with teammate Tyler Rogers not far behind with 19 points.
 
The Chaps jumped out to an early 6-5 lead on a jumper from senior Isaac Cardona, but John Gramlich immediately answered back with a three-pointer to give the Hilltoppers their first lead of the evening. SEU then extended their lead to 17-12 over the Chaparrals before a layup by Brennen Fowler allowed LCU to begin chipping away at the St. Edward's lead. A pair of free throws by Tyler Rogers gave Lubbock Christian their second lead of the night at 20-19, however, a jump shot by Landon Goesling returned the St. Edward's lead to 26-24 with 7:06 left to play in the opening half. Cardona and Fowler combined for six of the Chaps last ten points to give LCU a 41-39 lead at the break.
 
Brennen Fowler had the hot-hand for the Chaps in the opening half by coming off the bench and knocking down 12 points on 75% (6-of-8) shooting. Rogers added 10 of his 19 points in the first period with a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. LCU shot 66.7% (16/24) from the floor while going 0-for-3 from downtown. The Chaps took 10 trips to the free throw line and converted on nine of them.
 
Sean Watkins and Ramir Burton combined for nine field goals and 24 of the Hilltoppers 39 first half points. Burton was a stellar 80% (4-of-5) from the floor while Watkins surged to an 83.3% (5-of-6) shooting percentage. Watkins knocked down 9 of his 14 points from three-point land. St. Edward's shot 15-for-30 from the field and forced the Chaps into 12 turnovers in the opening period.
 
Lubbock Christian remained in the drivers seat for a majority of the second half. At the 16:52 mark, Cardona showed his range by stepping behind the three-point line and knocking down his third triple of the season, opening up the Chap lead to 50-44. St. Edward's remained persistent and cut the LCU lead down to one point on three different occasions. Gramlich hit a jumper, with 11:37 left, to give SEU their first and only lead of the second period at 58-57. It was short lived, as Holman marched down the court and drilled a trey of his own to return the lead to the Chaparrals. From that point on, Lubbock Christian never lost their control or their cushion. Holman netted another triple with 2:02 left, giving LCU a 10-point lead, their largest of the evening. Marcos Schuster hit a trio of free throws that sealed the game and gave the Chaparrals a 90-83 victory over the Hilltoppers.
 
The Chaps showed consistency with a 66.7% (16-of-24) field goal percentage in the half to mirror their first half. But this time they were not blanked from the three-point line. Holman and Cardona combined for a 42.7% (3-of-7) three-point percentage. Holman was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and captured 16 points of his 21 points after halftime. Cardona's 12 second half points came from 71.4% (5-of-7) shooting. Marcos Schuster led the Chaparrals at the free throw line with a 75% (6-of-8) free throw mark. LCU posted an 82.3% (14-17) effort from the charity stripe in the second half and combined for an 85.2% (23-27) free throw performance for the game. LCU was 29-of-38 (76%) from the field inside the arc.
 
Watkins and Burton once again led the Hilltoppers in scoring for the second period with 11 points each. John Gramlich added 10 points to push St. Edward's to 42.9% (12-28) shooting from the field. Watkins, Burton and Gramlich, SEU's lone free throw shooters for the second half, were perfect from the stripe and gave the Hilltoppers a 14-for-14 free throw mark.
 
The win bumps the Chaps to a 10-7 overall record and a 4-3 record in Heartland play. LCU will now hop on the road and travel to Edmond, Okla. for a bout with Oklahoma Christian on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 3pm inside The Eagle's Nest following the Lady Chaps.