SAN ANGELO, Texas (November 25, 2017) – Lubbock Christian University closed out their fourth game of the week on a high note with a 69-65 victory over Angelo State University, in San Angelo, Texas, to hand the Rams their first loss of the season. The Chaparrals were elevated on the shoulders of Brennen Fowler who flirted with a double-double and posted 24 points and nine rebounds. Isaac Asrat finished right behind him tallying 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting and a game-high four three pointers.
 
Angelo State streaked out to a quick lead after scoring the game's first nine points. The Chaps responded with eight points of their own to cut into the Angelo State lead. ASU continued to keep LCU at bay and even stretched their lead to an eight-point margin, 20-12, with 9:37 left in the half. LCU pulled within two after a Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath layup with 5:30 on the clock. The Rams came back with a 7-2 scoring run to return their lead to 31-24 with just under three and a half minutes to play in the period. Gilbreath marked the last points of the half on an and-one situation. The final 2:54 played out with neither team scoring, allowing the Rams to head into halftime with a 31-27 lead over the Chaparrals.
 
Lubbock Christian forced Angelo State into seven turnovers in the half, but only converted once for a two-point bucket. Though LCU was limited to 36.7% (11-of-30) shooting from the field, the Chaps remained in striking distance by holding the Rams to 12-of-28 from the floor in the opening period. Asrat led LCU with nine points after knocking down three of his eight attempts and one of the Chaparral's two free throws. The Chaparral defense limited ASU to three triples for a 30% average from beyond the arc.
 
Ja'Michael Brown led Angelo State's offensive efforts in the opening period with 12 points after going 5-for-10 from the floor. The Rams out performed Lubbock Christian on the boards by a 21-16 margin. James Kirksey picked up six rebounds, four of which came on ASU's defensive end. Angelo State recorded 16 of their 31 points first half points from inside the paint.
 
Kentton Williams sparked a 7-1 scoring run to open up the second half for Lubbock Christian giving the Chaps their first lead of the contest. Angelo State came back with five straight points to reestablish a three-point lead at 39-36 with 14:08 remaining. Fowler connected two minutes later on a mid-range jumper to give LCU a 43-41 advantage for the final lead change for the evening. Lubbock Christian continued to push the tempo and even extended their lead to a 56-44 margin with 9:16 remaining. ASU pulled within three-points three separate times within the final 2:30, but a go-ahead free throw by Fowler sealed the 69-65 victory for LCU.  
 
Fowler had the hot hand in the second period converting on 7-of-8 from the field for an 87.5% field goal mark. Asrat added in 14 points and five rebounds of his own on a 5-for-8 performance from the field. After a slow first period, Lubbock Christian exploded for a combined 68% (17-of-25) second half shooting mark. On defense, the Chaps held Angelo State to a trio of three-pointers and a 36.7% shooting performance in the final period.
 
LCU concluded the game with a 50.9% shooting average while holding the Rams to season-low performances from the field (39.7%) and from three-point range (20%). Fowler led the Chaparrals with a game-high 24 points. Asrat's 23 points marked his fourth contest of the year with 20 points or more. Williams distributed well for Lubbock Christian and led the squad with four assists. Despite being down for the entire first period, the Chaps bounced back and outscored ASU by a combined 34-28 margin from inside the paint.
 
LCU's victory marks their first win away from home and moves the Chaps to a 3-4 record on the year. Todd Duncan and his men will now look ahead to a Thursday night contest in Dallas, Texas against Dallas Baptist University. The Chap's Heartland Conference opener will take place in DBU's Burg Center with tipoff set for 7 p.m.