LUBBOCK, Texas (February 23, 2017) – Lubbock Christian University used a 46-29 rebound advantage, with a career high-matching 15 rebounds off a double-double performance by Tess Bruffey, and Bruffey joined teammate Olivia Robertson with 18 points each to lead LCU to an 88-76 Heartland Conference victory over Oklahoma Christian Thursday night inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
LCU had four players in double figures to overshadow a 27-point outing from McKenzie Stanford. The scoring was fast and furious in the opening quarter, as the two teams combined for 59 points in the opening 10 minutes off a combined 60.6% shooting from the field. LCU was 11-of-19 (57.9%) and OC was 9-of-14 (64.3%) in the opening quarter from the field. The teams were also a combined 7-of-10 (70%) from three-point range and 12-of-13 (92.3%) from the free-throw line. When the dust cleared, Hannah Harbin's eight points had LCU edging the Lady Eagles 30-29, with OC supported off 12 points from Stanford.
 
The scoring pace slowed down just a bit in the second quarter, which was filled with streaky play. LCU opened the quarter on a 10-1 run capped by free-throws from Bobbi Chitsey to put LCU up 40-30 with 7:17 left in the half. The Lady Chaps went the next 5:28 without a point, while OC responded with a 10-0 run to tie the game at 40-40. Delaney Gaddis and Chitsey connected on three-pointers to end the half on a bright spot for LCU, who led 48-43 at the half.
 
LCU was 17-of-32 (53%) from the field in the half, going 6-of-10 from long range (60%). Harbin led LCU with 10 points in the half. Stanford had 17 in the half for OC, making up for six of OC's 13 field goals in the half.
 
The Lady Chaps received 16 points off their bench in the third quarter, with Robertson scoring eight points in the quarter (6-of-6 from the free-throw line). Bruffey had nine rebounds in the quarter and LCU used an 18-5 scoring run in the quarter to burat out to a 68-53 lead with 1:51 remaining in the quarter. LCU kept their distance in the fourth quarter, as OC never was able to cut LCU's lead to less than a seven-point advantage.
 
Bruffey had a double-double in the second half alone with 11 rebounds and 10 points. Robertson scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half.  The two Lady Chaps were joined in double figures by Chitsey (14 points) and Harbin (12 points). Stanford led OC with 27 points and also received offensive assistance in the loss from Sarah Parker (15 points) and Addy Clift (12 points).
 
LCU won their third straight game overall and their 12^th consecutive meeting over Oklahoma Christian (19 of last 22 meetings won by LCU), who fall to 15-13 overall and 10-6 in conference. LCU moves to 16-10 overall and 10-4 in conference play. LCU, 10-0 at home this season, improved their nation-leading home win streak to 34 games, while also winning their 41^st consecutive conference home game and improving to 35-0 all-time at home in Heartland Conference play.
 
TURNING POINT
Surviving the 5:38 scoring drought during the second quarter was key for LCU. They never relinquished the lead, and once OC tied the game at 40-40, LCU responded with an 8-3 run to end the half.  Rebounds were key as well, as LCU had a +17 rebound margin for a second consecutive game (28-17 rebound advantage in the second half).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU had been 0-4 on the season when allowing at least 67 points until Thursday's win over OC. The 76 points scored by OC was the second highest point total allowed this season. LCU countered it with 88 points, which was their second highest point total this season. LCU's last two games have resulted in their highest offensive games of the season.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU closes out the regular season Saturday at noon hosting St. Edward's, who clinched the Heartland Conference regular season title and will serve as the top-seed at the Heartland Conference Tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Saturday is Senior Day and five senior members of the LCU squad will be recognized.