LUBBOCK, Texas (February 4, 2017) - Tess Bruffey notched the third triple-double in program history and her 21-point and 13-rebound performance included a program and Heartland Conference single-game record 10 blocks to lead Lubbock Christian University to a 70-56 home victory over St. Mary's University Saturday afternoon. The 10 blocks marks the third time Bruffey has produced the feat (no other player has in program and conference history), but the first time she has done it inside Rip Griffin Center, which sets the arena record.
 
Bruffey became the only player this season in Division II basketball with two 10-block games. The 10 blocks in a game is a program and a Heartland Conference record, and it is the third time she has reached the feat in her career. The last was on Nov. 26, 2016 in Puerto Rico against Lenoir-Rhyne.
 
As for the triple-double, it is her first of her career and the third one recorded in program history. Nicole Hampton achieved the prior two, with the prior completion coming Jan. 25, 2014 at Oklahoma Panhandle State. Bruffey's accomplishment Saturday marked the first triple-double inside Rip Griffin Center. In addition, her triple-double marks the 12^th one accomplished in NCAA Division II play this season.
 
LCU outscored StMU by seven points in three of the four quarters Saturday, never trailing in the game. The Lady Chaps balanced out the outside shooting in the opening quarter, with Bailey Haist, Claire Bruffey, Hannah Harbin and Tess Bruffey combining to go 4-for-6 from three-point range in the quarter. Tess led LCU with seven points in the quarter, with her three-pointer in the quarter coming in a 6-0 run to take a 20-11 lead in the final 10 seconds of the quarter. StMU's Arysia Porter hit a jumper to close the quarter with LCU leading 20-13.
 
StMU cut LCU's lead to 24-23 on a LaBraile Fields jumper with 5:08 left in the half, but LCU responded with a 15-2 run to close the half. Harbin highlighted the run with a pair of three-pointers and had 13 points in the first half to give LCU a 39-25 halftime lead.
 
The run would be carried over to the second half to a 17-2 run (in total), with Bruffey scoring in the paint for a 41-25 LCU lead. An 8-0 run by the Rattlers allowed them to rush back into the game, and back-to-back three-pointers by Kiara Etheridge allowed the Rattlers to cut LCU's lead to 49-45 late in the third quarter. Olivia Robertson prevented StMU from ending the quarter with momentum, as she nailed a three-pointer inside the final minute to give LCU a 52-45 lead to take into the fourth quarter.
 
Sierra Dixon opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to get within four points, but again LCU had a response. The Lady Chaps responded with a Haist three-pointer and went on a 9-2 run. The "2" during the run for StMU was a layup from Porter with 7:43 remaining and the Rattlers final field goal of the game.
 
Bruffey had eight points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with a game high 21 points to lead all players. She was 8-of-17 from the field and racked up 13 rebounds as well. Harbin also finished in double figures as well with 16 points. She was 3-of-3 from three-point range (three three-pointers was a career high). LCU, coming off Thursday's program-record-matching three-point shooting barrage, had 11 three-pointers Saturday and went 11-of-23 (47.8%) from downtown. Overall, LCU was 47.2% (25/53) from the field and outscored StMU 20-8 in the paint and 23-17 off turnovers.  StMU was 2-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter and finished 35.1% (20/57) from the field. They were 11-of-36 (30.5%) inside the arc and 9-of-21 (42.9%) beyond the arc. Porter led the Rattlers with 20 points and eight rebounds. They also received 16 points from Fields and 13 from Etheridge.
 
LCU improved to 12-9 overall and 7-3 in conference play, while StMU fell to 17-4 overall and 9-2 in conference. They split the season series with the home team claiming wins in each meeting. The win knocked StMU out of first place in the Heartland Conference standings.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU was able to claim the win due to a strong played fourth quarter. They held StMU without a field goal in the final 7:43. StMU was 0-of-4 shooting during the the stretch and committed five turnovers. LCU ended up forcing StMU into 16 turnovers in the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Delaney Gaddis did not produce a shot attempt, but she did garner a career high five assists. Six different Lady Chaps have led the team in assists in a game and it was the first time Gaddis led the team in assists since Nov. 21, 2016 against Wayland Baptist.
 
NEXT UP
LCU heads back to the road, where they have played 14 of their 21 games, as they head to Claremore, Okla. Thursday to face Rogers State. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Expo Center.