WICHITA, Kan. (January 25, 2018) – Tess Bruffey produced a season high 27 points and eclipsed 1,500 points in her Lubbock Christian University career to help the No.2 Lady Chaparrals hold off a 10-0 fourth quarter run by Newman University, as LCU defeated the Jets 73-66 Thursday evening in Heartland Conference play inside Fugate Gymnasium.
 
Bruffey's field goal to put her over 1,500 career points was celebrated by her squad on the hardwood, but not because of the milestone achieved.  As time was running out in the second quarter, Bruffey heaved a three-point shot at the horn, which banked in for a 43-32 halftime lead for LCU. She entered the game with 1,491 points and had 11 points in the first half off the three-point bucket at the buzzer.
 
The contest featured several runs in the game, as offense was in full display with each team shooting over 45-percent in the contest. In the opening quarter, LCU used a 10-0 run, with the score tied 5-5, to take a 15-5 lead. Delaney Gaddis and Bobbi Chitsey each had six points in the opening quarter and they helped LCU turn the run into a 17-2 run for a 22-7 lead. Freshman Haley Albers recorded 10 points in the first half and eight points came in the second quarter, which helped Newman respond from the 22-7 deficit by outscoring LCU 25-12 to cut LCU's lead to 34-32 with 2:18 remaining in the second quarter. LCU tallied the final nine points of the quarter, with Bruffey's three-pointer at the buzzer providing LCU a 43-32 halftime lead. The Lady Chaps received field goals from seven different players in the first half (six players had at least two field goals) and they shot 59% (13/22) inside the arc.
 
Hannah Alexander (8) and Albers (5) combined for 13 points in the third quarter for Newman, who cut LCU's lead to a six-point margin on two occasions. LCU had six field goals in the third quarter and the first five were by Bruffey. Leading 47-41 in the third quarter, LCU built the lead to 53-43 before Newman responded with a 9-2 run to cut LCU's lead to 56-52. Newman, who combined for two offensive rebounds in the first half, had five offensive rebounds in the final 1:34 of the third quarter. They held LCU to two points in the final 3:22 of the third quarter and trailed LCU 58-54 to start the fourth quarter.
 
Newman went the opening 4:44 of the fourth quarter without a field goal, while LCU went on a 9-0 run and led 67-54 for their largest lead in the second half. LCU attempted 23 free-throws in the game and 13 came in the fourth quarter. They needed the opportunities, as they were 3-of-8 (37.5%) from the field in the quarter. Once Bria DeGrate scored on a layup with 5:16 left in the game, everything started to favor the Jets. They hit their following five straight attempts, capped by a bucket by DeGrate to cut LCU's lead to 69-66 with 1:27 remaining. LCU (finished with 15 turnovers) committed six turnovers in the fourth quarter and four were in the final 3:25 of the game. Despite the turnover woes, LCU was able to get defensive stands needed to preserve the win. They held Newman scoreless over the final 1:27 of the game (missed their final three shot attempts). Two of the misses on Newman's final three shot attempts occurred with LCU leading 69-66.
 
The Jets were 45.2% (28-62) shooting from the field. It was the highest mark by a Lady Chaps opponent this season and the highest since Southwestern Oklahoma State shot 47% against the Lady Chaps on Dec. 10, 2016. Newman was 53.4% (23/43) shooting inside the arc. Alexander tallied 22 points for Newman and was joined in double figures by Albers (15 points) and DeGrate (13 points). Newman outrebounded LCU 35-32, marking the fourth time LCU has been outrebounded this season (LCU is 4-0 when being outrebounded). The Jets did produce 10 offensive boards, leading to a 12-4 scoring advantage in second chance points.
 
LCU thrived off nine steals leading to a 23-8 advantage in points off turnovers for LCU.
Gaddis produced three of the steals. LCU finished the game 50% from the field (26/52). They had a 16-5 scoring advantage in points from the free-throw line. Bobbi Chitsey (12 points) joined Bruffey in double figures for LCU, who shot 50% (26/52) from the field.
 
The win placed LCU with an 18-1 overall record and their 12^th consecutive win places them with a 7-0 conference record. Newman fell to 13-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
 
TURNING POINT
Tess Bruffey came up vital for LCU in the closing moments of the game. Leading 69-66, Bruffey prevented DeGrate from cutting into the lead by blocking her layup attempt with 15 seconds remaining.  She also obtained the rebound in the same motion and was fouled, leading to a pair of made free-throws to turn the game into a two-posession game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
For the first time as a member of the Lady Chaps, Delaney Gaddis led the team in rebounds with a career-matching eight rebounds. She also contributed eight points, two assists and three steals.
 
NEXT UP
LCU goes from the north-most stop to their eastern-most desination, heading to Fort Smith, Ark. Saturday to face Arkansas-Fort Smith at 1 p.m. inside Stubblefield Center. The meeting pits the top two teams in the conference standings.