LUBBOCK, Texas (January 28, 2017) – After playing 10 of their last 12 games on the road, Lubbock Christian University returned home and extended their win streak to four games by defeating Dallas Baptist University 79-72 inside Rip Griffin Center.  Brennen Fowler led LCU in Saturday's Heartland Conference contest with a game-high 18 points and 12 assists for his eighth double-double of the season.
 
The Chaparrals opened the game on a 10-2 run covering the opening six minutes of the afternoon. The Patriots began closing the gap and even jumped within three-points, 18-15, after a triple from Julian Miranda with 10:38 in the period. Lubbock Christian responded with an 8-0 scoring streak to take an 11-point lead, 26-15, for their largest lead of the half. Fowler accounted for five of LCU's final seven points, which included a long three-pointer, to give the Chaps a 39-33 lead at the break.
 
Lubbock Christian was never really forced to play with their backs against the wall in the opening half. The closest the Patriots ever came was within two-points at the 1:12 mark after a three-pointer by Myles Johnson. The Chaps shot an even 50% (15-of-30) from the floor in the opening half and 44.4% from beyond the three-point line. Fowler led LCU with nine-points and six rebounds on 4-of-10 shooting and knocked down one of the Chaps four three-pointers for the half. Ridrell Holman added in eight-points on 75% (3-of-4) from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from downtown. Marcus Arrington was 3-of-3 from the field for six-points of his own.
 
Patrick Burke and Myles Johnson each posted eight points on 75% (3-of-4) shooting from the field. Collectively, DBU shot 54.2% (13-of-24) from the floor and 45.5% (5-of-11) from the three-point line.
 
Marcos Schuster opened up the second half with an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Chaps a 42-35 lead in the opening minutes. After a layup by DBU's Patrick Burke, Isaac Cardona sparked an 11-0 run that culminated in a 14-point LCU lead, their largest of the game, at 57-43 with 8:56 left to play. The Chaps then went on a three-minute scoring drought that allowed the Patriots to cut the LCU lead to 57-56. After Schuster knocked down a jumper, DBU's Amari Bryant drained a three-pointer to tie up the score at 59-59 for the one and only time of the afternoon. The Chaparrals finally found their footing and scored seven straight points to take a 66-59 lead. The Patriots were forced to foul on LCU's next six possessions and sent the Chaps to the free throw line for a total of 12 times. Lubbock Christian converted on 10 of their 12 final free throws to seal the LCU victory at 79-72. The Chaps last 11-points came from the free throw line while their final field goal came with 2:14 left to play.
 
The second half was really the same story, different chapter for the Chaparrals. LCU combined for a 48% (12-of-25) shooting mark in the half. Tyler Rogers went on a 12-point tear on 60% (3-of-5) shooting and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Marcos Schuster was close behind with 11-points and three assists. Fowler also added a quiet nine-points in the half in addition to six rebounds. LCU's was sent to the charity stripe a total of 17 times in the second period and converted on 14 for an 82.4% team average.
 
Bryant carried the Patriot offense with 15-points, scoring all 15 points in the second period. As a squad, Dallas Baptist shot 43.3% (13-of-30) from the field and 28.6% (4-of-14) from behind the arc. The DBU bench accounted for 24 of the Patriots 39 second-half points. Overall, Miranda (13 points), Burke (12 points) and Myles Johnson (12 points) joined Bryant in double figures.  

The Chaps had four players finish in double figures in points. Rogers finished with 17 points, and Schuster and Holman each had 11 points to join Fowler. Holman, Fowler and Rogers combined to go 5-of-7 from long range, as LCU was 6-for-15 (40%) from three-point range.
 
The win over Dallas Baptist (12-7 overall) improves Lubbock Christian to a 12-7 record on the year and an 8-3 record in Heartland play. Each are now 6-3 in conference play and behind an 8-3 Texas A&M International. The Chaps sweep regular season series over DBU for the first time since joining the Heartland Conference. LCU will now head to Wichita, Kans. for a 7:30pm tilt against Newman University on Monday Jan. 30.