LUBBOCK, Texas (December 19, 2017) – Lubbock Christian University men's basketball fell to a 4-8 record on the season Tuesday night after an 83-77 loss to Angelo State University inside Rip Griffin Center. The Chaps were led by sophomore Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath's career-high 22 points in the effort.
 
LCU found themselves down early as Angelo State jumped out to a quick 12-3 lead four minutes into the contest. Isaac Asrat was fouled on a three-point attempt sending him the line for a trio of free throw shots. After knocking down two of his three attempts, the Ram's lead was cut to six points. James Kirksey contested for ASU knocking down a jumper inside the paint to put Angelo State back up 21-13 with 10:40 left in the half. Brennen Fowler came back with an LCU layup sparking a 12-5 run for the Chaparrals that narrowed the Angelo State lead to 26-25. Gilbreath then came down the court and provided a huge block for the Lubbock Christian defense that was picked up by Marcos Schuster. Schuster flipped the ball up the court to Rashaan Proctor who converted the fast break layup giving the Chaps their first lead of the night. LCU spent the next three minutes on an 8-2 scoring run where Fowler accounted for three of the Chaparral's four buckets. Gilbreath knocked down three pointers on back-to-back possessions pushing Lubbock Christian to a 41-32 advantage. Despite ASU's Antonio Singleton sinking two free throws before the break, the Chaps entered halftime with a seven-point lead at 41-34.
 
Though they struggled for the opening portion of the half, LCU found their rhythm and closed the period shooting 46.9% (15-of-32) from the field. Fowler and Gilbreath each had 11 points and four rebounds to lead the Chaps. Schuster provided three steals for Lubbock Christian who outscored the Rams 12-3 in points off of turnovers.
 
Angelo State was held to a 37.5% average from the field in the first period on 12-of-32 shooting. Antonio Singleton drained two of this three field goals while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the stripe to lead the Rams with nine points. Brandon Williams' seven boards pushed ASU to a 21-19 edge over LCU for the first period.
 
Angelo State opened up the second half with seven unanswered points to tie up the ballgame at 41-41. Gilbreath disrupted the Ram's offensive efforts with his third triple of the evening, returning the lead back to LCU. Kirksey and Will Adler came right back with consecutive baskets to regain the lead for ASU. Zach Stepp checked into the game for his second half debut and immediately drilled a three-pointer of his own to put the Chaps back on top, 47-45. Lubbock Christian's lead spanned less than a minute when Angelo State rushed back to a 57-52 advantage with just over 13 minutes to play. Stepp threw up another three-point attempt the fell off the mark but Stephen Lennox crashed the rim to scoop up the offensive rebound before throwing down a two-handed jam to put the Chaps up 59-57. Lubbock Christian pushed the tempo and attempted to maintain their lead, but a pair of go-ahead free throws by ASU's Daron Mims marked the final lead change of the evening for the Rams. Angelo State scored five of the game's final seven points to put the Chaparrals away 83-77.
 
Gilbreath showed his consistency with 11 more points in the second period. Stepp knocked down two of LCU's four three-pointers in the half while helping the Chaps to a 42.3% (11-of-26) shooting mark.
 
Angelo State finished the night with a 47.5% field goal average and 20-for-29 (69%) from the free throw line. Williams closed out with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead five Ram players to in double scoring figures. Kirksey joined Williams with a double-double recording 17 points and 10 rebounds on his own.
 
Lubbock Christian tallied 38 points from inside the paint and 43 points from the bench. The Chaparrals converted on 26 of their 58 field goals for a 44.8% shooting mark. Gilbreath posted a game-high 22 points going 8-for-16 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. Fowler (13 points) and Schuster (12 points) joined Gilbreath in double-scoring figures. Schuster also accounted for a career-high six steals. LCU's season-high nine steals allowed the Chaps to 22 points off of turnovers.
 
LCU's loss drops the Chaparrals to a 4-8 overall record heading into the Christmas break. The Chaps will return to action Dec. 30 against Eastern New Mexico University. Tipoff against the Greyhounds is scheduled for 2 p.m inside Rip Griffin Center.