LUBBOCK, Texas (November 17, 2017) - No.23 Lubbock Christian University matched a program record shooting 66.7% from three-point range, and the mark of 12-of-18 is their best downtown shooting mark with more than 10 three-pointers, as the Lady Chaparrals marched past Western New Mexico 85-44 in their home opener Friday evening inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
Six different Lady Chaps nailed three-pointers in the game, with Caitlyn Cunyus leading the Lady Chaps with a career high five three-pointers on 5-of-8 shooting. LCU's prior performance of 66.7% shooting from long range (at least 10 three-pointers made) came on Feb. 28, 2008, with LCU going 10-of-15 from three-point range against Science & Arts of Oklahoma inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
LCU was off and running early, with Cunyus nailing her first three-pointer 2:27 into the contest to cap an 8-0 run to start the game. Kailin Davis jumped into the mix later in the opening quarter with a trey as part of a 10-0 run. LCU closed the quarter 6-of-8 from the field and led 26-11 at the end of the quarter. WNMU only made consecutive shot attempts once in the game, and it came during a stretch of four consecutive made attempts in the second quarter. LCU was still able to outscore the Mustangs 20-18 in the half and LCU led 44-31 at the half. LCU was 7-of-10 from the perimeter in the first half (3-of-3 in the first quarter). Davis led LCU with 14 points in the half. Cunyus was 4-of-6 from three-point range with 12 points in the half.
 
Maddi Chitsey opened the second half with a three-pointer for the Lady Chaps and it sparked a 20-5 scoring run for LCU, building their lead to 64-36. LCU would lead by at least 26 points the rest of the way. Chitsey led LCU with 10 points in the second half.  She combined with sister, Bobbi, to go 6-of-9 from the field (3-of-3 from three-point range) and 17 points in the second half. LCU, finishing the game shooting 55.4% from the field (31/56), shot 59.3% (16/27) from the field in the second half.
 
Davis led all scorers with 16 points, going 6-of-8 from the field in her Rip Griffin Center debut. Another player somewhat familiar with the Rip Griffin Center was WNMU's Ciara Fields, who played junior college basketball for 2017 NJCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament (Rip Griffin Center was the host venue) qualifier Cochise College. Fields led WNMU with 12 points.  WNMU was 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in the game to provide a bright spot for the Mustangs, who fell to 0-3. 
 
Maddi Chitsey (career high) and Cunyus each supplied LCU with 15 points. They were each 5-of-8 from the field.  LCU improved to 4-0 on the season with the win. They have topped 10 three-pointers for a third consecutive game, which is a task they completed once during the first 12 games of last season.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU wasn't too happy when they hit the half, despite a 13-point advantage at the half. WNMU followed a string of eight missed shots in the second quarter with four straight made attempts (three from long range). They had a 6-0 run to cut LCU's lead to 29-20.  LCU's spoiled any comeback attempts with their 20-5 run to open the second half.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Lady Chaps have won six consecutive home openers with Friday's win. Their last home opening loss was a 61-44 loss to Metro State on Nov. 5, 2011. LCU improved to 14-1 all-time in home openers under Steve Gomez.