TULSA, Okla. (March 5, 2017) – Lubbock Christian University's streak of consecutive eligible seasons with a national tournament berth in women's basketball came to an end at 11, as Sunday the No.3-seeded Lady Chaparrals suffered a season-ending 52-44 loss to No.1-seed St. Edward's in the championship game of the Heartland Conference Tournament inside John Q. Hammons Arena (UMAC).
 
LCU, who closed their NAIA era with 10 straight NAIA National Tournament appearances, was seeking their second straight NCAA Div. II South Central Regional berth and their second straight Heartland Conference Tournament title. St. Edward's, who LCU defeated in last season's conference tournament title match, denied the Lady Chaps from the automatic bid Sunday was stellar defense in which LCU was unable to get in any scoring rhythm.
 
The Lady Chaparrals totaled season lows in points (44), three-point field goals (1) and three-point shooting percentage (4.5%). The three-point field goal marked the first time since Jan. 24, 2015 (at St. Edward's) in which the Lady Chaps were held to one three-pointer, while their point total and three-point shooting mark were the poorest since scoring 44 points and being held without a three-pointer on Nov. 5, 2011 at home against Metropolitan State.
 
As poor as LCU shot from the field, they were never out of the game and even had the lead on occasions. Neither team had more than an eight-point lead in the game.
 
SEU had a 10-2 run in the opening quarter to start the game with a 10-2 league. LCU responded with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 10-8, but LCU went the final 2:40 of the quarter without a point and trailed 12-8.
 
The Lady Chaps were a miserable 1-of-22 from three-point range, while SEU was 7-of-17 with timely treys nailed along the way.  Abby Hopper's only three-pointer came in response of LCU tying the game at 12-12 in the second quarter and it sparked a 6-0 run for an 18-12 advantage with 6:25 remaining in the half. Delaney Gaddis, one of LCU's few bright spots on the day with a 3-of-4 shooting performance inside the arc, had tied the game at 20-20 late in the half, but Bailey Hill tossed up a successful three-point attempt at the buzzer to give SEU a 23-20 halftime lead.
 
Hill would hit another three-pointer for the opening three-pointer of the second half and provided another six-point deficit LCU had to overcome. In a span of 2:05, Hill hit three-three-pointers, with the third trey representing SEU's only points while LCU went on a 10-3 run with Bobbi Chitsey converting on a layup for a 30-29 LCU lead.
 
LCU's only three-pointer of the game was made by Chitsey and it was tallied with 1:17 remaining in the third quarter and it sent the contest into the fourth quarter tied 33-33. It marked the only time this season LCU had a score tied at the conclusion of the third quarter.
 
Lubbock Christian led 38-37 with 8:19 remaining after a layup by Bailey Haist, but then LCU went the next six minutes without a field goal and SEU went on a 9-0 run. The Lady Chaps shot 28.6% (4/14) in the fourth quarter and could not overcome the deficit.
 
LCU was 32.1% from the field (18/56), which was their worst shooting performance since a 30.6% shooting woe on Nov. 17, 2014 at Colorado School of Mines. They were 50% (17/34) from inside the arc.
 
Chitsey finished with her fifth consecutive game in double figures with 14 points to lead LCU. Tess Bruffey, who struggled with a 5-of-19 shooting performance, finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.
 
The two two teams combined for seven second-chance points (SEU with three). SEU (20-8) was 32.7% (16/49) from the field, shooting just 28.1% (9/32) inside the arc. They made seven of their 16 field goals from long range, going 7-of-17 (41.2%) from long distance. Khiana Clark was SEU's leading scorer with a game high 20 points.
 
The game marked the final game for LCU seniors Claire Bruffey, Allea Harris, Bailey Haist and Hannah Harbin. LCU's season closes with a 19-11 final record. Tess Bruffey and Chitsey claimed a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
 
TURNING POINT
In the fourth quarter, LCU let go of a one-point lead by going 6:29 without a field goal. LCU committed three turnovers and went 0-of-6 from the field during the span. It was a missed opportunity for LCU as well, as SEU followed four consecutive field goal makes with a 0-for-5 shooting stretch.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU went to Tulsa as the conference's best three-point shooting squad, but it was not reflected inside UMAC during the tournament. LCU completed this season's tournament 10-of-55 (18.2%) from three-point range.  Tess Bruffey, who had 19 treys and shot 55.9% in the month of February, was 0-for-13 during the tournament from long range, and Bobbi Chitsey went 1-for-9 to combine the two at 1-for-22. All-time, LCU is 23.4% (26/111) from three-point range in UMAC.