LUBBOCK, Texas (December 16, 2017) - Lubbock Christian University's Tess Bruffey came close to a triple-double, leading a quintuplet of Lady Chaparrals in double figures, with 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks, and the performance was able to outshine Cameron's double-double from Jamie Bonnarens (20 points and 14 rebounds) to lead No.4 LCU to a 67-54 win Saturday inside Rip Griffin Center. The matchup was the first meeting between the two squads in 17 years.
 
Both teams opened the game cold from the field. After the game opened the first 2:25 scoreless, the two teams combined to go 3-for-16 from the field (18.8%) in the opening 5:13, as LCU was 2-of-7 (28.6%) and Cameron was 1-of-9 (11.1%) in the span. Despite the lack of offense, LCU was able to use three-pointers from Olivia Robertson and Bobbi Chitsey to take a 12-9 lead into the second quarter. LCU's offense did not struggle the rest of the game, and they opened the second quarter going 4-of-4 from the field (part of a 7-of-9 shooting stretch, which began with three minutes remaining in the first quarter). Caitlyn Cunyus' layup one minute into the second quarter provided LCU their largest lead of the half at 16-9. Cameron was able to bounce back with an 8-0 run and they took a 22-20 lead in the game with four minutes left in the half. Robertson sparked a 5-0 run with a three-pointer and LCU regained the lead and led 27-25 heading into the half.
 
Cameron had a 6-0 scoring advantage in second chance scoring in the half after seven offensive rebounds. LCU was 53.8% (7/13) from the field in the second quarter, but was outscored 16-15 in the quarter by the Aggies. All seven of the game's lead changes took place in the opening half.
 
Bruffey opened the second half with a three-pointer 24 seconds into the half and it ignited a 10-4 run capped by Bruffey's second three of the half with 5:57 left in the half to give LCU a 37-29 lead.  A 7-2 run followed, fueled by a pair of baskets by Bobbi Chitsey, and LCU's lead was extended to 44-31 with 2:42 remaining in the quarter. Bruffey, Cunyus and Chitsey each had six points in the quarter and combined for all eight field goals on the team's 8-of-14 (57.1%) shooting mark in the quarter.
 
The Lady Chaps maintained their lead much of the fourth quarter. They had a 57-43 lead cut to 57-48 on a 5-0 Cameron run, but LCU offset it with a 5-0 run to take a 62-48 lead with 2:43 left.  Robertson led LCU in the quarter with six points.
 
Cameron produced 15 offensive rebounds in the contest, leading to a 14-2 advantage in second chance points. They also had a 13-9 scoring advantage in points off turnovers. The 15 offensive rebounds led to a 39-35 rebound advantage over LCU, who was out-rebounded for a second time this season (LCU is 2-0 when being out-rebounded).
 
LCU was 50.9% (27/53) from the field, shooting 56.4% (22/39) after the first quarter.  They were 7-of-12 (58.3%) from the field in the fourth quarter. Bruffey was two blocks away from her second career triple-double and she had eight of LCU's nine blocks. Joining her in double figures in points was Cunyus (13 points), Robertson (12 points), Maddi Chitsey (11 points) and Bobbi Chitsey (11 points). Bonnarens led the Aggies with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Teammate Parfitt McNair also provided 10 points for Cameron.
 
The meeting was the first since Dec. 5, 2000, and the win by LCU was their second all-time win over the Aggies (tenth all-time meeting). LCU's prior win in the all-time series was Jan. 10, 1994 in Lubbock. LCU improved their overall record to 11-1, while improving their streak of consecutive home wins to 41. Cameron fell to 4-6 on the season.
 
TURNING POINT
Tess Bruffey, coming off a career-high six three-pointers off a 6-of-7 shooting performances from long distance in her prior game (against Southwestern Oklahoma State), did not attempt a three-point shot until the second half and connected successfully on her first two attempts of the game, which built LCU's lead to 37-29 in the second half.  It was part of a 17-6 scoring stretch for LCU to start the second half, which allowed them to control the tempo much of the second half. In the last two games, Bruffey is 8-of-11 (72.7%) from long range, which included a stretch going 8-of-9.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU struggled from the free-throw line in the game, shooting 5-of-11 from the charity stripe.  Their five points from the line was their fewest total from the line since making four free throws (4-of-8) on Dec. 31, 2016 at St. Mary's.  Their 44.4% shooting mark from the free-throw line was their worst since shooting 36.4% (4-of-11) on Mar. 3, 2016 against Texas Permian Basin… Cameron's Jamie Bonnarens attempted 23 field goal attempts, which is the most by a Lady Chaps opposing player since Texas A&M International's Jessica Prieto had 23 attempts against LCU on Feb. 27, 2016… LCU's two second-chance points are the fewest since scoring two on Jan. 30, 2017 at Newman…  
 
NEXT UP
LCU will head to Portales, N.M. on Saturday, Dec. 30 to face Eastern New Mexico at 3 p.m. (Central) inside Greyhound Arena. The game will serve as LCU's final non-conference game.