CLAREMORE, Okla. (January 10, 2018) – No.3/5 Lubbock Christian University held Rogers State University to six two-point field goals and Caitlyn Cunyus' 14-point performance topped a foursome of Lady Chaparrals in double-figures, as LCU marched to a 70-38 victory over Rogers State inside Expo Center Wednesday night in their first Heartland Conference road test of the season.

In the opening 2:23 of the game, RSU was charged up and opened the game with a 7-2 lead, as LCU was 1-of-6 from the field to start the contest. Darian Jackson hit one of two three-pointers in the opening 5:22 of the game and her trey provided RSU a 10-6 lead. RSU, 3-of-5 from the field to that point, would be held to 28 points the rest of the way and they would go 8-of-45 (17.8%) from the field in the game's remainder.
 
LCU took advantage of the dry spell, responding with a 12-0 run over the final 4:38 of the quarter to take an 18-10 lead. Olivia Robertson was the spark for LCU, scoring nine of her 11 points in the opening quarter. LCU struggled most of the night from long range, but excelled inside the arc. The second quarter was a perfect example, as they were 0-of-5 from long distance in the quarter, but 7-of-9 (77.8%) inside the perimeter. On the defensive end, they held RSU to a 1-of-9 (11.1%) shooting performance in the quarter. The Hillcats were 0-of-8 inside the arc during the quarter. Bobbi Chitsey scored six of LCU's 14 points in the quarter and she led LCU to a 32-16 halftime lead.
 
RSU did not register their second two-point field goal of the game until Ke'Aunna Johnson's layup with 3:53 remaining in the third quarter. It ended a sequence of 22 consecutive missed shots inside the perimeter for RSU. Johnson's layup ended a 6-0 LCU run in the third quarter and cut LCU's lead to 44-26. Cunyus racked up seven points in the quarter to help LCU lead 49-30 through three quarters. A 12-2 run in the fourth quarter, capped by a Emma Middleton three-pointer, helped LCU lead 65-34 with 3:12 remaining. Six different Lady Chaps had at least one field goal in the fourth quarter for LCU, who led as much as 34 points (70-36) in the game.
 
Tess Bruffey recorded her seventh double-double in the game, notching 11 rebounds and 10 points. She was not the lone player with a double-double performance, as Lauren Schuldt recorded one for RSU (11 rebounds and 10 points).  Schuldt, RSU's leading scoring, achieved hers in an aggravating fashion.  She missed her first 12 shot attempts and finished the night 1-of-14 from the field.
 
Cunyus and Bruffey were joined in double figures by Bobbi Chitsey (13 points) and Robertson (11 points). LCU was a season-best 91.7% (11-of-12) from the free-throw line and they had a 17-8 advantage in turnovers. Their eight turnovers committed was a season low and the fewest committed since Mar. 11, 2016 against Angelo State.
 
LCU was 41.5% (27/65) from the field in the game. They were 5-of-23 (21.7%) from long range and 52.4% (22/42) inside the arc. RSU finished the game 22% (11/50) from the field. They were 5-of-9 (55.6%) from downtown, but shot 14.6% (6-of-41) inside the perimeter.
 
The contest was LCU's third true road game of the season and it is the second time they have held an opponent on the road to under 23% shooting from the field. They held Texas A&M Commerce to a 21.7% from the field on Nov. 13. The 11 field goals allowed is the fewest LCU has allowed since Texas – Permian Basin was held to 11 on Mar. 3, 2016. UTPB was held to five two-point field goals in that Heartland Conference Tournament contest in Tulsa, Okla. The 38 points tallied by RSU is the fewest allowed on the road this season.
 
The Lady Chaps, holding RSU to 33 points last season in Claremore, has defeated RSU in 10 consecutive meetings and they have won 13 of the previous 14 tilts. LCU improved to 15-1 overall and 4-0 in conference. The loss was RSU's fifth straight loss and they dropped to 4-10 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
 
TURNING POINT
The final 14:38 of the first half proved to be the momentum change in the game.  RSU, who went 1-of-18 (5.6%) inside the arc for the opening half, was 1-of-17 (5.9%) from the field over the final 14:38 of the first half and was held to six points. LCU out-scored RSU 26-6 in the span.    
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Trailing 7-2 2:23 into the game, LCU was staring at a five-point deficit. It was LCU's biggest deficit overcome this season.  In games LCU has won (14 of their prior 15 games played), they had not trailed by more than four points in a game. All LCU's deficits they have faced in their 15 wins have occurred in the first quarter.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU, completing their first Wednesday game since Mar. 23, 2016 (vs. Bentley), will take a small break and will not return to competition until hosting St. Edward's on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.