TULSA, Okla. (March 4, 2017) – No.5-seed Lubbock Christian University had their 2017 Heartland Conference Tournament stay cut short Saturday in a 72-64 Semifinals loss to No.1-seed Dallas Baptist University at Union Multipurpose Activities Center. Tyler Rogers was three-points shy of a career high with 25 points and 15 rebounds to complete a double-double for the Chaparrals.
 
Dallas Baptist came out swinging and bursted to a 7-0 lead within the first 90 seconds of the game. The Chaps finally found a tempo and began mounting a comeback that culminated in a three-pointer from senior Marcus Arrington to tie up the score at 15-15 at the 12:03 mark. Tyler Rogers then hit a go-ahead jumper to give LCU their first lead at 17-15. Brennen Fowler was able to open up the Chaparral lead to four-points, 21-17, with 8:59 left in the half. However, the Patriots came racing back with nine unanswered points to regain the lead at 26-21. Jay Workman and Fowler knocked down back-to-back buckets to close in on DBU's lead, but Dallas Baptist was able to score the final five points of the half to take a 36-28 advantage heading into halftime.
 
The Patriots were able to leave their mark from long-range in the opening period by outscoring LCU 12-6 from the three-point line. Both squads had almost identical numbers from the field. Lubbock Christian posted a 40% (12-of-30) field goal mark while DBU shot 42.9% (12-of-28) from the floor. Fowler and Ridrell Holman scored six points each in the opening period to lead the Chaparral offense. Fowler had six boards while Rogers grabbed five to push the Chaps to 17 rebounds in the half.
 
Myles Johnson led the Patriot roster with nine points on three treys in the first half. As a team, DBU shot 42.9% (6-of-14) from long-range in the period. Xavier Ledet snagged 10 of Dallas Baptist's 17 rebounds.
 
Ledet wasted no time on the offensive end by converting a layup just 23 seconds into on the second period. Dallas Baptist opened up their lead to 13-points, 50-37, following a triple by Julian Miranda at the 14:21 mark. Tyler Rogers proceeded to take over the LCU offense for the remainder of the half and scored 14 of Lubbock Christian's final 27 points for the game. Unfortunately for the Chaps, his presence was not enough to overcome their first-half deficit as LCU ultimately fell to the Patriots 72-64 to close out the contest.
 
Rogers went on a tirade and posted a double-double in the second half alone. He scored 21 of Lubbock Christian's 36 second half points on 63.6% (7-of-11) shooting and 77.8% (7-for-9) from the free throw line. The Chap unit shot 45.2% (14-of-31) from the field, while holding the Patriots to 34.6% (9-of-26) from the floor. In almost every other category, LCU and DBU were virtually identical. Both squads posted six steals, one block, nine turnovers, four assists and 36 points in the second half.
 
Lubbock Christian was unable to find their rhythm from distance and only shot 18.2% (2-of-11) from behind the arc. Dallas Baptist outscored the Chaps 27-6 from three-point range and LCU shot 62.5% (10-for-16) from the free throw line. DBU converted on 21 of their 33 attempts from the stripe for a 63.6% outing. The Patriots were able to break up the Chap's momentum with their range and capitalized on their first half successes. Rogers was the only Chaparral to enter double-scoring figures for the night, with his game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds. Rogers' offensive effort boosted Lubbock Christian to a 42.6% (26-of-61) average from the field.
 
Lubbock Christian closes out the season with a 19-11 overall record. Saturday's loss brings a close to the LCU careers of seniors Arrington, Isaac Cardona, Michael Grant, Holman and Rogers.