TULSA, Okla. (March 4, 2017) – No.3-Seed Lubbock Christian University used a 14-2 run in the opening quarter and a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) from Tess Bruffey to defeat No.2-Seed St. Mary's University 70-51 to advance to the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship Game Sunday, where they will tip off against No.1-Seed St. Edward's University at noon inside John Q. Hammons Arena (UMAC).
 
The Lady Chaparrals controlled most of the game, containing a lead of at least 10 points for 28:03 of the game. The offensive support for LCU started early, with a 14-2 run in the opening quarter. The run, which included a 12-0 stretch, helped LCU surge from a 7-5 lead to a 21-7 advantage with 45 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. LCU, who led 21-9 at the quarter's conclusion, was 69.2% (9/13) from the field in the quarter, with nine field goals (the nine field goals in the quarter was more than StMU produced in the half).
 
Despite the offensive success in the first half for LCU, who shot 56% (14/25) in the half, LCU allowed StMU to stick around. LCU committed nine turnovers in the first half and it led to StMU scoring 10 points off turnovers in the first half, which was 43% of their point production in the half with LCU leading 36-23 at the half.
 
StMU started to rally back in the third quarter, opening the half on an 8-0 run. LaBraile Fields and Arysia Porter each hit three-pointers during the run and cut LCU's lead to 36-31 2:14 into the second half. LCU did not wait long to respond, getting a three-point play from Delaney Gaddis to spark a 5-0 run before countering a 4-0 Rattlers run with a 10-1 run capped by a three-pointer from Caitlyn Cunyus to put LCU up 51-36 with 1:33 left in the third quarter. Bailey Haist hit three three-pointers for LCU and her first of two in the second half came with 13 seconds left in the third quarter to close the quarter with LCU leading 54-39.
 
LCU received seven points from Bobbi Chitsey in the fourth quarter and her production helped build LCU's lead to as large as a 22-point advantage in the final quarter. The Lady Chaps outscored StMU 16-12 in the final quarter.
 
The Lady Chaps shot at least 50% in three of the game's four quarters and finished the game 54% (27/50) from the field. They were 6-of-14 from beyond the arc (42.9%) and 21-of-36 inside the arc (58.3%). LCU was also 10-of-12 from the charity stripe (83.3%). On the defensive end, LCU held StMU to a 32.8% (19/58) shooting mark. The Rattlers struggled with a 26.7% (4/15) shooting mark in the opening quarter. They were 0-of-4 from long range in the quarter, 1-of-9 in the half and finished the game 4-of-21 (19%) from three-point range.
 
Kiara Etheridge (17 points) and Porter (12 points) were the lone bright spots for the Rattlers, who fell to 21-7 and will have a slim outside chance at an at-large regional berth. If their season is complete, it would mark the second straight season in which their season ended with a semifinals loss to LCU in Tulsa.
 
LCU received a game-high 18 points from Bruffey, who was 8-of-15 from the field and added 11 rebounds to complete her 11^th double-double of the season. Chitsey produced another solid outing in Tulsa with 15 points for her fourth consecutive game of at least 14 points. LCU also received 14 points from Hannah Harbin, who also contributed five rebounds and four assists.
 
The win places LCU with a 19-10 record and they are riding a season best six-game win streak. LCU improves to 5-0 all-time in Heartland Conference Tournament play and their meeting with St. Edward's marks the second straight season the two teams have met in the tournament title game. LCU will go after their second Heartland Conference Tournament title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament. If LCU loses Sunday, their season will come to an end.
 
TURNING POINT
StMU went on an 8-0 run to open the second half and cut LCU's one-time 16-point lead down to a five-point advantage (36-31), but LCU responded making six of their next seven shot attempts and an eventual 10-1 run to take the air out of the Rattlers sails.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
In five games all-time at the Heartland Conference Tournament, LCU has been able to shoot at least 50% from the field on two occasions and both have come against StMU. LCU shot 51% from the field last season against StMU in Tulsa, receiving a program single-game tournament record 20 points from Tess Bruffey.