DENVER, Colorado (November 11, 2017) – Lubbock Christian University closed out their stay in Denver, Colo. Saturday afternoon with an 89-74 loss to Regis University at the Rocky Mountain/Heartland Conference Crossover Challenge. LCU junior
Brennen Fowler led the Chaparrals and flirted with a double-double capturing 16 points and nine rebounds in the effort. Once again, the Chaps were unable to overcome a slow first half which proved to be their downfall.
Jay Workman had the game's first points on a mid-range jumper after a steal by Fowler to kick off a 7-2 run for the Chaps. The LCU streak was capped by a
Marcos Schuster three-pointer at the 16:42 mark. Regis' Avonte Nelms answered with back-to-back triples to give the Rangers their first lead of the day. Workman rained in another shot from three-point range to put Lubbock Christian up for the final time. Ryan Beisty then converted a layup at the 12:38 mark to regain the lead for Regis at 14-13 marking the game's final lead change. Following the lay-in, the Rangers went on a 15-point scoring rampage for a 16-point lead, their largest of the opening period, at 29-13 with just over seven minutes on the clock. Asrat knocked down a jumper inside the paint to begin cutting away at the Chaparral deficit, but the Rangers kept LCU at bay. Lubbock Christian's Micah Bailey rung up a lay-in with 23 seconds left in the half, shrinking the RU lead to six points at 35-29. Beisty quickly answered with a three-pointer at the last second putting Regis up 38-29 at halftime.
The Chaparrals 29 first-half points were split among seven players. Fowler and Asrat led the offensive efforts for LCU with eight points apiece in the half. As a team, the Chaps knocked down 11 field goals on 30 attempts for a 36.7% mark. Five of their 11 jumpers came from behind the arc with Asrat and Schuster knocking down two each and Workman adding one of his own.
Ryan Beisty led the Rangers with nine points and five rebounds in the half. As a team, Regis shot 39.4% from the field (13-of-33) and 7-of-17 (41.2%) from downtown. The RU squad made it to the charity stripe six times and converted on five for an 83.3% average. Beisty and Jarrett Brodbeck each snagged five rebounds in the half to lead the Rangers to a 26-14 rebounding advantage over the Chaparrals in the opening period.
Dexter Sienko helped Regis pick up where they left off at the beginning of the second period with a quick jumper from inside the paint. Schuster knocked down a two-pointer at the 17:10 mark cutting the Ranger's lead to 42-35. Christian Little came back with a layup to spark an offensive push that eventually expanded the RU lead back to 13 points, 51-38, with 14:26 to play. LCU began to mount one more comeback that reduced Regis' lead to five points at 52-47 after a pair of free throws by Workman with just under 11 minutes to go. It was at that point that Little knocked down two free throws of his own to prevent the Chaps from getting any closer. Within the remaining 10 minutes, Regis pushed the tempo and took an 85-66 lead, their largest of the day, after a trey by Sienko with 3:00 to play. Lubbock Christian worked for another comeback, but eventually finished the game on the losing end of an 89-74 result.
Fowler tacked on a team-high 14 points and eight rebounds in the second half. As a squad, the Chaps had a much stronger performance in the final period scoring 45 points on 16-of-30 (53.3%) shooting. Gilbreath netted Lubbock Christian's only triple of the half as the Chaparrals shot 14.3% (1-of-7) from behind the arc. Gilbreath was also a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line helping LCU to a 92.3% (12-of-13) in the final 20 minutes.
Regis finished the day with a 48.5% (32-for-66) field goal average. Brodbeck tallied a game-high 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting with four three-pointers and a pair of free throws. The Ranger's bench also came up with 26 points for the day. In total, RU outrebounded LCU 40-26 and had six players in double figures.
Lubbock Christian ended the game shooting 27-of-60 for a 45% field goal mark. Fowler led the Chaps with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Asrat, Schuster and Workman joined Fowler in double-scoring figures. LCU knocked down 14 of their 17 free throw attempts in the game for an 82.4% average. The Chaparral squad registered 36 points in the paint and 12 points from the bench.
Following the loss, the Chaps fall to 0-2 on the season for the second consecutive year. They will return home for a quick recharge, but will hit the road again on Wednesday, Nov. 15 for a bout against Texas – Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. inside the Falcon's UTPB Gym.
