No.2 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (18-1, 7-0)
at ARKANSAS - FORT SMITH (14-6, 7-1)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 - 1 p.m.
Stubblefield Center (Ft. Smith, Ark.)
Radio: Online Only
All-Time Series: LCU Leads 8-1
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TO THE EAST
No.2 Lubbock Christian University opened their four-game Heartland Conference road trip Thursday with a 73-66 win at Newman University, and Saturday they venture to their eastern-most trip to face Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, Ark. The contest is a battle for the top spot in the conference, as LCU enters the game with a 7-0 conference mark, while UAFS is 7-1 in the conference. LCU returns home following the game and will continue their road trip next Thursday at St. Mary's.
LOOK AT THEIR LAST GAME
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.
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 connecting on a three-pointer at the buzzer for 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.
MARGINALIZE
LCU is ranked 10th nationally with a conference leading scoring margin of 20.1 points per game in outscoring their opponents. Thursday's seven-point victory ended a string of five consecutive games in which LCU won by at least 14 points (averaged a 26.6 point per average win in the five games prior to Thursday). Of LCU's 18 wins, Thursday's win was their fourth by single digits.
MARGINS PART II
Another margin LCU leads the Heartland Conference in is rebounding margin (22nd nationally), with an average of 7.8 more rebounds per game over their opposition. LCU had a 16.8 per game rebounding advantage over their opponents in a five-game stretch until Thursday at Newman. LCU was outrebounded 35-32, marking the fourth time they have been outrebounded in a game this season. They have a 4-0 record when being outrebounded.
SECOND QUARTER SURGING
In LCU's 18 wins, they have faced deficits in 10 of them and their largest deficits in all 10 occasions have come in the first quarter. Despite the stat, LCU has not trailed at the end of the first quarter in any of their 18 wins. LCU has overcome the deficits and have surged in the second quarters of games. The Lady Chaps are averaging 22.5 points per game in the second quarter over their prior seven games and averaging a point advantage of 22.5 - 10.6 against their opponents in the span. On Jan. 18, LCU held St. Edward's to one point the entire second quarter, outscoring the Hilltoppers 25-1 in the quarter.
NATIONALLY KNOWN
New national rankings came out Tuesday afternoon, and the Lady Chaparrals moved up to No.2 in both the D2SIDA and WBCA NCAA Div. II Women's Basketball Top-25 Poll. The only team they are behind is No.1 Ashland, who is the only team to defeat LCU this season. The No.2 ranking marks their best ranking this season in each poll.
PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES
LCU leads the Heartland Conference and ranks eighth nationally in field goal percentage, shooting 47.1% from the field. They also lead the nation in field goal defense, holding the opposition to 31.9% shooting on the season. Their allowance of 52.4 points per game ranks second in the nation. Thursday, LCU shot 50% (26/52) from the field. The performance marked the eighth time this season LCU has shot 50% or better from the field.
PERIMETER PLAY
Despite ranking seventh in the Heartland in three-point field goal attempts, LCU leads the conference in three-point field goals made per game (7.3), as they have the 10th best three-point shooting percentage in the nation at 38.3%. On the other end, LCU is holding opponents to a 28.9% shooting percentage from long range.
BLOCKING IT OUT
Tess Bruffey, who ranked second nationally last season in blocks per game (3.9), leads the nation with 80 blocks on the season. Her 80 blocks come at a rate of 4.2 per game (second nationally) and she has more blocks than all but 40 NCAA Div. II teams (301 teams in Div. II). The Lady Chaps, as a team, rank second in the nation with 128 blocks (Point Loma leads with 132). In her career, Bruffey has a program and conference record 350 blocks, marking her as the NCAA Div. II's active career leader (third among all levels). She also ranks on the NCAA Div. II's active career leader charts in points (1,518, 13th), field goals (556, 10th) and double-doubles (22, 15th).
MORE TESS-TALK
Thursday,
Tess Bruffey eclipsed 1,500 points in her LCU career. 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 tallied a season high 27 points. Bruffey also attempted 19 shots in the contest, placing her with 1,171 shot attempts to place her ahead of Jordan Hampton (1,167, 2005-2009) and into fifth in program history. It marked the second straight game Bruffey notched a statistical milestone. Saturday in LCU's win over Oklahoma Christian,
Tess Bruffey obtained sole possession of fifth place in LCU's career record books, passing Carol Hise (540, 1990-1994) in field goals and Beth Capps (721,1993-97) in rebounds. Heading into Saturday, she is two rebounds away from passing Hise (732) in rebounds.
ROADIES
LCU is 4-0 in road play this season and have produced some defensive minded performances. In two of their four road games, LCU has held the home team to under 23% shooting from the field. They held Texas A&M Commerce to a 21.7% from the field on Nov. 13 and Rogers State to a 22% shooting mark on Jan. 10. LCU has outscored opponents by average of 70.2 - 49.5 on the road this season, holding the home team to a 29.7% shooting mark. The Lady Chaps have a 76-38 advantage in points from the free-throw line on the road as well.
Tess Bruffey leads LCU on the road averaging 18.3 points per game, with
Olivia Robertson contributing 11.3 points per game on the road.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT UAFS
• The Lady Lions are in their second season with Elena Lovato at the helm and are coming off a 17-13 season last year, going 10-6 in conference play. They are 14-6 this season, with a 7-1 conference record. UAFS is 7-2 at home this season.
• The Heartland Conference preseason polls selected the Lady Lions to finish second in the conference this season. They are currently in second place with a 7-1 mark and a win over LCU would put them into a tie with the Lady Chaps atop the standings.
• UAFS ranks 24th nationally in field goal shooting, going 45.0% from the field and ranking second behind LCU in the conference. Tayla Taylor is 10th nationally with a conference best 60.1% shooting on the season. She is coming off a 9-of-14 (25 points) shooting performance Wednesday in a 68-59 win at Rogers State.
• The Lady Lions lead the Heartland Conference in steals with 209 (25th nationally). They recorded 12 in the prior meeting against LCU.
• UAFS leads the conference in turnovers forced, averaging 18.8 turnovers forced per game this season.
THE SERIES AGAINST UAFS
LCU has won all but their prior meeting in Fort Smith, Ark. in the all-time series and has a 8-1 all-time advantage over UAFS. All meetings have been since joining the Heartland Conference. LCU is 3-1 all-time in Fort Smith, with the previous meeting in the Stubblefield Center resulting in a 69-65 UAFS win (Feb. 11, 2017). LCU won the prior meeting this season in Lubbock 67-62 (Dec. 2, 2017).
PRIOR MEETING VS. UAFS
Dec. 2, 2017 (Lubbock, Texas): LCU 67 - UAFS 62
No.7/8 Lubbock Christian University received a career-high 20 points from
Caitlyn Cunyus and the Lady Chaparrals opened their Heartland Conference schedule with a 67-62 win over Arkansas - Fort Smith.
The contest featured seven lead changes and the score tied on 14 occasions, with neither team enjoying more than an eight-point lead margin. UAFS, who never led by more than four points in the game, led 6-2 with 6:27 left in the opening quarter, but LCU answered with field goals from
Maddi Chitsey and
Olivia Robertson to tie the contest 6-6. LCU never had a lead in the opening quarter and received a jumper at the horn from
Delaney Gaddis to tie the score at the end of the quarter 8-8. UAFS missed their final 11 shot attempts in the quarter and it eventually fell into a 0-of-12 shooting slump for the Lady Lions. They went a span of 7:50 without a field goal, which ended with a Tayla Taylor layup 1:23 into the second quarter to tie the contest at 10-10 and end LCU's 6-2 run during the sequence.
UAFS opened the game 5-of-30 (16.7%) from the field, but then picked up an offensive grove, closing the half making four of their final five shot attempts. Cunyus connected on a three-pointer with 3:03 left in the second quarter to provide LCU a 20-14 lead for their largest lead of the first half. The 8-2 LCU run was interrupted by UAFS closing the half hitting their final four shots of the half to cut Lady Chaps lead to 22-21 at the half. UAFS eventually included their 4-of-5 shooting streak to go 8-of-9, making their first four shot attempts of the second half.
In the combined portions of the second quarter and the third quarter, both teams found their offensive tempo. UAFS went a span of 8:39 going 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the field, while LCU went a span of 10:24 going 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the field (LCU went 9-of-10 inside the arc during the streak). Through the hot shooting, there were six occasions the score was tied and there were four lead changes in the quarter. The Lady Lions shooting success came to an end late in the quarter and they went the final 4:10 without a field goal off 0-of-7 shooting. LCU closed the third quarter outscoring UAFS 12-4 (capped by a Gaddis three-pointer at the horn) over the final 4:10 and took a 49-41 lead into the fourth quarter for their largest lead of the game.
Two of UAFS's first three field goals in the final quarter were from three-point range and it helped them cut LCU's lead to 51-49 with 6:23 remaining. A 12-3 UAFS run, stapled by a Tayla Taylor jumper with 4:10 left in the game, gave the Lady Lions a 53-52 lead. It was the first of two lead changes over the next 2:13. Mariah Green produced a layup off a steal to put UAFS up 55-52 with 3:55 left, but Cunyus answered at the other end with a three-pointer to tie the game 55-55. LCU eventually regained the lead with a layup from
Tess Bruffey to go up 58-56 with 1:57 remaining. It was just one of two field goals (the only two-point field goal) in the quarter from LCU, who scored 13 points from the free-throw line in the quarter, with their final nine points coming from the line. The free-throw shooting was enough to hold off the Lady Lions, who closed the game 1-of-5 from the field.
LCU, out-scoring UAFS 28-22 in the paint, received double-digit offensive production from four Lady Chaps, led by Cunyus' career high performance. Bruffey, who went 4-of-6 from the field in the second half after missing her first five shot attempts, produced her fifth double-double of the season (19th of her career) with 14 rebounds and 12 points, and also added five blocks and five assists.
Delaney Gaddis (11 points and one shy of her career high) and
Olivia Robertson (10 points) joined Bruffey and Cunyus in double figures in points. LCU had to overcome 20 turnovers in the game, which is the most they have committed in a victory since 24 in a win over Lenoir-Rhyne in Puerto Rico (Nov. 26, 2016). A contributor to the LCU turnovers was Lundon Williams, who produced six steals, which is the most by an opposing player this season and the most since Kyrstie Miller produced six for Emporia State against LCU on Dec. 3, 2016. UAFS was led by Tayla Taylor, who completed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
