AUSTIN, Texas (January 13, 2017) - Allison Szabo's double-double (16 rebounds, 13 points) and Tess Bruffey's game high 19 points helped Lubbock Christian University rally from a 12-point second half deficit, but a scoring woe late in the contest allowed St. Edward's to march past the Lady Chaparrals 58-50 Thursday night in Heartland Conference action inside Recreation and Convocation Center.
 
Trailing 38-27 with 3:55 left in the third quarter, LCU went on a 16-2 run and took a 43-40 lead with 7:22 remaining. Ten of the 16 points during the run were tacked on by Bruffey. The tide would shift back towards SEU, as the Hilltoppers responded with a 9-0 run to regain the lead at 49-43 with 4:17 remaining. Bailey Haist connected on a rare LCU three-pointer in the contest to get within 49-46, but free-throws helped SEU surge to a 56-46 lead with 52 seconds remaining. Overall, SEU's run was a 16-3 run (seven points from the free-throw line) to capitalize on the victory.
 
LCU went the final 2:58 without a field goal and closed the game 1-of-10 from the field (Haist's three-pointer was the only field goal during the stretch). SEU scored their final five points and seven of their last nine points from the free-throw line. The Hilltoppers, entering the fourth quarter 5-of-13 (38.5%) from the free-throw line, went 9-of-12 in the fourth quarter from the line.
 
The game featured six lead changes, with four occurring during the opening quarter. Lexi Cunningham's three-pointer for SEU in the final seconds of the quarter capped a 6-1 run gave SEU an 18-12 advantage at the end of the quarter. LCU trailed as much as 30-19 in the first half, but Bruffey's eight points in the half helped keep the game in reach with LCU trailing 30-21 at the break.
 
LCU trailed 33-21 in the second half before eventually chipping away at SEU's lead. The Lady Chaps benefitted off five straight points from the line to begin their 16-2 run. LCU trailed 40-36 at the close of the third quarter, which occurred during the run.
 
Both teams shot less than 40% from the field (SEU – 38.2%, LCU – 32.6%) and shot 16.7% from three-point range. LCU had a 39-30 rebound advantage, but had 17 turnovers compared to seven by SEU. Shakera Barnes led SEU with 17 points. They also received 14 points from Lubbock native Abby Hopper and 12 points from Lexi Fatheree.  Bruffey and Szabo had the only double-figure point productions for LCU, who only received field goals from four different players. Szabo's 16 rebounds were a career high and the double-double was her fifth of the season.
 
The loss ended LCU's season high four-game win streak and handed the Hilltoppers their first win over LCU since Dec. 1, 1995. The Lady Chaps fall t o 9-8 overall and 4-2 in the Heartland Conference. SEU remains atop the conference standings with a 7-1 mark. They are 11-6 overall.
 
TURNING POINT
Hannah Harbin went to the free-throw line with 4:34 remaining and LCU trailing 47-43.  She missed both free-throws and SEU's Fatheree was able to go down and score to put SEU up 49-43. It came during LCU's stretch in which they were 1-of-10 from the field.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Tess Bruffey recorded a pair of three-pointers and was 2-of-3 from three-point range, while her teammates were a combined 1-of-15 (6.7%) from long range.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU heads north on I-35 and will stop in Oklahoma City Saturday to face Oklahoma Christian University, with tip-off scheduled for 1 p.m. inside The Eagle's Nest.