HEARTLAND CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT - SEMIFINALS
LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (19-10, 12-4, No.3 Seed) vs. ST. EDWARD'S (19-8, 13-3, No.1 Seed)
Sunday, March 5, 2017 – Noon
Union Multipurpose Activities Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
Radio: KJTV am950/100.7fm
All-Time Series: LCU leads 9-5
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TITLE TIME
Since 2004, Lubbock Christian University has advanced to the national tournament in all 11 seasons in which they have been eligible to compete in postseason play. The journey has consisted of 10 NAIA National Tournament appearances and one NCAA Division II postseason appearance, which resulted in a NCAA Division II National Championship last season. LCU's only opportunity to extend the streak to 12 is to claim an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament by winning the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship Game Sunday against St. Edward's University. Sunday's scheduled noon tip marks the second consecutive season LCU has faced St. Edward's in the tournament title game. LCU, in their second season with Heartland Conference and NCAA postseason eligibility, are aiming to claim their second Heartland Conference Tournament title in program history.
THE "IF's"
IF LCU WINS : If the Lady Chaps defeat the Hilltoppers, they will improve to 20-10 on the season and will advance to the NCAA Div. II South Central Region Tournament.
IF LCU LOSES: If the Lady Chaps fall to the Hilltoppers, their season will end with a 19-11 overall mark.
LOOKING BACK AT THEIR LAST CONTEST
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 11th 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.
ALL-HEARTLAND CONFERENCE
To kick-off the festivities of the 2017 Heartland Conference Tournament, the Heartland Conference presented their annual women's basketball awards at the tournament social and Lubbock Christian University's
Tess Bruffey (First Team) and
Bailey Haist (Honorable Mention) were each named All-Conference, with Bruffey also claiming the conference's most prestigious honor; Player of the Year.
Bruffey becomes a three-time All-Heartland Conference selection and a two-time First Team member. She was an Honorable Mention recipient as a freshman (2014-15) and also claimed the conference's Freshman of the Year honor. Last season, she was a First Team member. The Lubbock, Texas native marks the second Lady Chaparrals player to ever receive the Heartland Conference Player of the Year honor, joining
Nicole Hampton, who claimed the accolade last season. Bruffey enters the conference tournament with averages of 16.1 points (second in the conference), 8.6 rebounds (fourth in the conference) and 3.8 blocks per game (leads the conference and ranks second nationally). The junior inside player averaged 19.4 points per game in conference play and 22.8 points a game in February (also shot 19-of-34 at 55.9% from three-point range during the month). The Heartland Conference's all-time career leader in blocks (258) was a five-time conference Player of the Week recipient and a two-time USBWA Division II Women's Basketball National Player of the Week this season and was also one of four players nationally to record a triple-double in a contest this season.
Haist claims her first All-Conference honor. Haist, who led the conference as a sophomore with a .463 three-point shooting mark, has posted her second season of at least 50 three-pointers. The senior from Colorado Springs, Colo. enters the conference tournament with 53 three-pointers this season (fifth in the conference) and is hitting at a mark of 36.1% (third in the conference). She has 144 three-pointers in her three-year LCU career and is shooting 41.0% from downtown. Haist, who ranked third with 34 three-pointers in conference play, is averaging 9.0 points a contest this season.
FUN WHILE IT LASTED
LCU played a light home schedule this season, with only 11 games at Rip Griffin Center. Six of the 11 came in February (three in November and two in January) and LCU finished the regular season 11-0 at home. They improved their nation-leading home win streak to 35 games, while also winning their 42nd consecutive conference home game and improving to 36-0 all-time at home in Heartland Conference play.
NO-BO
One of the darkest days of the 2016-17 Lady Chaps season occurred in late January as
Allison Szabo suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice. At the time of her injury, she was one of two Lady Chaps that had started in every game and was co-leading the team in rebounds. Despite the valuable loss on the hardwood, LCU has gone 9-2 in her absence.
RANKINGS UPDATE
The NCAA released their third South Central Region regional rankings of the season Wednesday and St. Mary's was the only Heartland Conference team in the mix. The final regional rankings determine the eight-team regional field to open NCAA Div. II postseason play (following conference tournaments).
1. Colorado State-Pueblo
2. Angelo State
3. West Texas A&M
4. Eastern New Mexico
5. Regis (Colorado)
6. Colorado-Colorado Springs
7. St. Mary's (Texas)
8. Texas A&M-Commerce
9. Colorado Mesa
10. Fort Lewis
GOT CLASS
This past Saturday was Senior Day and the final Rip Griffin Center appearance for five Lady Chaps seniors (four that were active to play, as Szabo was injured).
Claire Bruffey,
Allea Harris,
Bailey Haist and
Hannah Harbin played in their final game inside Rip Griffin Center. A remarkable senior class for their accomplishments with the Lady Chaps. Harbin and Szabo were the only members that spent all four seasons with the Lady Chaps and they produced a 51-2 home record over their four seasons, going 36-0 at home in conference play. All five players are have received academic accolades and all five members were part of LCU's 2016-2017 NCAA Division II National Championship squad.
D-FENCE
LCU's defense ranks fifth nationally, holding the opposition to a 33.4% shooting mark, despite ranking 208th nationally in three-point shooting defense (31.9%). LCU has allowed 174 three-pointers this season, but inside the arc, their defense has held opponents to a 34.2% shooting mark.
MAGIC NUMBER
LCU overtook the conference lead in three-point shooting, closing their final eight regular season games with 75 three-pointers, for a rate of 9.4 per game. LCU entered the conference tournament leading the conference and ranking 38th nationally in three-point field goals (213) and three-point field goals per game (7.6). They rank 38th despite not have one individual in the top-125 in three-point field goals per game. Tulsa has not been kind to LCU from outside, as all-time inside UMAC, LCU shoots 28.1% from three-point range (25/89 for a rate of 5.0 per game).
BLOCKING THINGS OUT
LCU, who led NCAA in blocks last season, ranks third the NCAA this season in blocks per game (5.7) and is sixth in total blocks (164).
Tess Bruffey ranks second nationally in blocks per game (3.8) and is second in total blocks (103). Each block Bruffey garners adds to her career totals (260), which are program and Heartland Conference career records. She is 10 shy from the LCU single-season record.
PARTY LIKE ITS 2017
Tess Bruffey posted at least 14 points in 14 of the final 15 regular season games LCU played (had 18 points in the last seven regular season games played). She averaged 17.7 points a game in January and averaged 22.8 points a game in February. Bruffey went 19-of-34 (55.9%) from three-point range in February (she was 10-of-48, 20.8%, prior to the February stretch).
Hannah Harbin had a hot February as well, averaging 11.5 points per game and went 53.2% from the field and 78.3% (18/23) from the free-throw line. Through two games in Tulsa, Bruffey (15 points) and Harbin (12 points) are averaging double figures. Bruffey is also averaging 10.5 rebounds a game.
WHAT ABOUT BOB
Sophomore
Bobbi Chitsey heads into Sunday's game with at least 10 points a game in a career-best four-game streak. Chitsey, who is averaging 15 points a game in Tulsa, is averaging 15.3 points a contest over the past four games. She had averaged 2.0 points a game over seven-game stretch prior to her current outburst streak.
HEARTLAND HISTORY
LCU is 5-0 all-time in Heartland Conference Tournament play, with three of the wins coming in the 2016 edition of the tournament, which marked LCU's first season with Heartland Conference postseason eligibility.
Tess Bruffey is the only Lady Chap returning that placed on last season's All-Tournament. Bruffey averaged 13.7 points a contest in Tulsa last season.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEU
• The Hilltoppers are the No.1-seed in the tournament after winning the Heartland Conference regular season title with a 13-3 conference record. With a 2-0 start in Tulsa, SEU is 19-8 overall on the season. • The Heartland Conference coaches selected SEU to finish fifth in the conference in their preseason poll. Shakera Barnes made the Preseason All-Conference list and also claimed Heartland Conference All-Conference postseason honors (First Team). Barnes was joined on the list by teammates Lexi Fatheree (Second Team) and Khiani Clark (Honorable Mention).
• SEU entered the tournament ranking 10th nationally in turnovers per game, with a conference-best 12.4 turnovers per game.
• Since Lexi Fatheree's return from an injury (joined the squad on Dec. 8), SEU is 16-3 on the season. Fatheree is averaging 15.3 points per game this season.
• With 5.3 assists per game, Shakera Barnes ranks 24th nationally.
THE SERIES AGAINST SEU
LCU has won eight of the last nine meetings and leads the all-time series lead at 9-5. The two teams split the regular season series, including a 84-80 overtime game last Saturday in Lubbock. They have one conference tournament meeting, which came at last season's championship game of the Heartland Conference Tournament (75-52 LCU win on Mar. 6, 2016 in Tulsa).
PREVIOUS RECAP VS. SEU
Feb. 25, 2017 (Lubbock, Texas) - LCU :84 - SEU:80 OT
The Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals overcame a 10-point third quarter deficit and received 30 points from
Tess Bruffey to defeat St. Edward's 84-80 in overtime Saturday afternoon in Heartland Conference action inside Rip Griffin Center. LCU, matching a season-high with four consecutive wins, finished the regular season tied for second place with St. Mary's, as they finished with a 12-4 conference mark (17-10 overall) and a win back of St. Edward's (13-3). The Lady Chaps will head to Tulsa, Okla. as a No.3-seed in the Heartland Conference Tournament and will open play Friday at noon facing Newman.
The game featured nine lead changes and the scored tied on 14 occasions. With 16 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied 66-66, SEU's Bailey Hill put up a shot out of the left wing baseline that hit the backside of the backboard and LCU received the possession. They called a timeout, but on the ensuing inbounds,
Hannah Harbin was unable to get the ball inbounded before a five-second violation was called, giving SEU back the ball. LCU, with only two team fouls, was able to continually foul Shakera Barnes on inbounds plays and SEU was unable to get the best shot off at the horn, although Barnes was nearly able to get a long heave beyond the top of the key to go.
Bailey Haist had seven points for LCU in the overtime frame. She made a pair of free throws with 30 seconds left to put LCU up 82-80. Khiani Clark missed a layup with under 15 seconds remaining, but SEU got the offensive board and they relied on a Hill three-pointer for the lead. The attempt was no good. LCU advanced the ball with a timeout and
Olivia Robertson was fouled. She made both of her attempts for a 84-80 lead and it turned out to be the final score.
The game opened with a see-saw of runs and streaky play. Each team had three runs of runs consisting of at least a 4-0 scoring span involved in the opening half. LCU, who trailed 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, had just traded off a 6-0 run with SEU and went on a 9-0 run to take a 24-19 lead with 3:57 remaining in the second quarter. It was SEU's turn to respond, which they did with a 7-0 run to take a 26-24 lead with 1:33 remaining. They eventually led 29-26 at the half after Lexi Fatheree nailed a three-pointer just prior to the buzzer.
Bruffey led LCU with 14 points in the half and was 5-of-7 from the field. She was carrying most of the offensive workload for LCU in the first half, with
Bobbi Chitsey also assisting. The two were a combined 7-of-11 from the field (63.6%), while the remainder of the Lady Chaps were a combined 2-of-13 (15.4%).
Fatheree, who hit two three-pointers in the final 1:33 of the first half, connected on her third three-pointer of the game with 6:42 left in the third quarter and it capped a 12-3 run to give SEU a 41-31 lead and their largest lead of the game. Over the ensuing 6:17, LCU would gradually outscore the Hilltoppers 21-11 to tie the game at 52-52 in the third quarter. LCU went 4-for-4 on three-point attempts during the run, with Haist, Chitsey, Bruffey and
Caitlyn Cunyus all contributing on the trifectas.
Following the score tied at 52-52, LCU went on a 6-0 run, which had them up 54-52 at the close of the fourth quarter and capped with LCU leading 58-52 50-seconds into the fourth quarter. The 6-0 run was part of a 27-11 scoring surge for LCU, which also included a 16-4 scoring clip for LCU.
LCU led as much as 60-54 with 7:30 remaining, but SEU came back with the play of Shakera Barnes, who tallied three of her eight field goals in the final 5:35 of the fourth quarter. A 6-0 run by SEU tied the game at 60-60 before the teams countered scoring for the remaining 5:35 to force overtime.
Bruffey matched a career high with her second 30-point contest of the season and of the homestand. She was 10-of-14 (71.4%) from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range. She was joined in double figures by Haist (18 points) and Chitsey (17 points). Haist was 6-of-9 from the field with a career high eight rebounds and matched a career high with four assists. LCU incredibly finished the game shooting 51% (26/51) from the field. They were 14-of-24 (58.3%) in the second half and went 3-of-3 from the field in overtime. LCU was 11-of-14 from the free-throw line in overtime and 1-of-1 from three-point range in the extra frame.
SEU was 38.8% (26/67) from the field, but benefited off a 21-for-21 shooting mark from the free-throw line, which was a single-game record by an LCU opponent. It marks the second time ever a Heartland Conference squad has been perfect from the line with at least 20 attempts. The conference record is 26-of-26 set by Oklahoma Christian (against Texas A&M International (Dec. 31, 2015). Clark led SEU with 20 points. Fatheree and Hill finished with 19 points and Barnes added 18 points to place the Hilltoppers with four players in double figures.
