Box Score SAN ANTONIO, Texas (November 24, 2017) – No.1 Ashland forced No.6/8 Lubbock Christian University into 27 turnovers and used 25 points from Jodi Johnson, who set an Ashland program record with a 16-of-16 shooting performance from the free-throw line, to defeat the Lady Chaparrals 79-66 for their 42nd straight victory to mark the third longest win streak in NCAA Division II history. The battle between the two recent NCAA Division II national champions was the opening game of the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic played inside Bill Greehey Arena.
Friday's match was filled with a combined 49 turnovers, marking the most in a Lady Chaps contest since LCU (with 34) and Azusa Pacific combined for 60 turnovers on Dec. 30, 2005 in California. Ashland, who committed 22 turnovers, executed their full-court press to force LCU into 27 turnovers, which is the most by the Lady Chaps since they committed 31 at Tarleton State on Nov. 18, 2010.
LCU had a 4-2 lead, but Ashland countered with an 8-0 run to lead 10-4 and led the rest of the way. Despite the first half turnover woes, LCU trailed 38-30 at the half and used a 6-0 run to start the second half to cut the deficit to 38-36 on a
Caitlyn Cunyus layup 1:51 into the half. The Eagles fought off the Lady Chaps comeback attempt with a three-pointer by Maddie Dackin, which sparked a 5-0 run and Ashland outscored LCU 18-6 to build their lead to 56-42. The Eagles led as much as 66-48 before taking a 66-49 lead into the fourth quarter. Once again, LCU fought back, using a 7-0 run to cut a 71-57 deficit down to 71-64 with 1:50 remaining. The turnover bugaboo dampened any further challenge by the Lady Chaps, as they committed three turnovers in the final 1:05 of the game.
The Lady Chaps out-shot the defending champions in the game, 47.9% (23/48) to 46.9% (23/49) from the field. The Eagles had the upper hand behind the line, going 25-of-26 (96.2%) from the free-throw line and 47.1% (8-of-17) from three-point range. Despite the abundant amount of turnovers, LCU did have success against the press and
Maddi Chitsey was able to capitalize in the front court with a career high 21 points off 9-of-15 shooting. LCU, which struggled (2-of-11 from beyond the arc), shot 56.8% (21/37) inside the arc. Chitsey was 8-of-12 and
Olivia Robertson, who finished with 13 points, was 6-of-8 inside the arc. LCU also received 14 points from
Bobbi Chitsey and 11 points from
Tess Bruffey. Ashland, led by Johnson's 26 points, also received 14 points from Dackin. The Eagles, who entered the game with a nation-leading average of 97 points per game, improved to 5-0 on the season.
TURNING POINT
Ashland's shooting behind the line was the difference. In the third quarter, Dackin's three-pointer to end LCU's 6-0 run was one of four three-pointers in the quarter by Ashland, who went 4-for-4 from three-point range in the quarter. The Eagles went from 62.5% (10/16) shooting in the third quarter to 11.1% (1-of-9) shooting from the field in the fourth quarter, but that is when the Eagles free-throw shooting sealed the win. Ashland went 14-of-14 from the free-throw line in the second half, knocking down all 100 of their attempts in the fourth quarter to prevail.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Ashland's 25-of-26 free-throw shooting was the best by an LCU opponent since St. Edward's went 21-of-21 against LCU on Feb. 25 of last season. Jodi Johnson's school record 16-of-16 from the line marked the first opposing player to shoot 100% from the line with at least 10 attempts since Southwest Baptist's Megan Rosenbohm was 10-of-10 from the line against LCU last season (Dec. 1, 2016).
UP NEXT
LCU (6-1) will play their first game coming off a loss Saturday at 3 p.m. facing Midwestern State to complete their stay in San Antonio. The Mustangs are 3-1 after a 62-47 win Friday over host St. Mary's.
