LUBBOCK, Texas (November 12, 2018) – Lubbock Christian University held Texas A&M – Commerce to 14 field goals and benefited off a 25-6 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers to claim a 67-42 victory inside Rip Griffin Center Monday night. The win extended LCU's home win streak to 53 games, as they become the eighth NCAA Division II program all-time to reach 53 consecutive wins.
 
The Lions, who posted 61 points in an exhibition game at Baylor, converted on more three-point field goals than two-point field goals. It marks the first time LCU has held an opponent to more three-point field goals than two-point field goals since Texas-Permian Basin registered six of their 11 field goals from three-point range on Mar. 3, 2016. TAMUC was held to two two-point field goals the entire second half, and went a gap of 15:51 without a two-point field goal. They did not have a two-point field goal in the first and third quarter of play.
 
LCU had a 34-10 scoring advantage in the paint, with a +24 in the category marking their highest mark since a +32 (50-18) on Mar. 1, 2018 against Texas A&M International. TAMUC, 14-of-62 (22.6%) from the field, was 5-of-30 (16.7%) shooting inside the paint and 6-of-41 (14.6%) inside the perimeter. Meanwhile, LCU was 48.9% from the field, going 17-of-30 (56.7%) in the paint (15-of-20, 75% underneath the basket).
 
The Lady Chaps never trailed in the game. Leading 5-4 (4:20 into the game), LCU surged with a 15-3 run, which included a 6-0 and a 9-0 run for a 20-7 lead at the close of the opening quarter. Maddi Chitsey led LCU with seven points in the opening frame, as LCU had a 61.5% (8/13) shooting performance in the quarter (TAMUC was 15.4%, 2-of-13 in the quarter).
 
The 15-3 run ended 1:08 into the second quarter by TAMUC's first two-point field goal of the game (Chania Wright had the field goal, as TAMUC went the opening 11:08 of the game without a two-point field goal). The Lions were able to get a 7-2 run going to cut LCU's lead to 25-16 (4:22 left in the half), but it would be the final time the Lions deficit would be in single digits. LCU closed the half on a 7-2 run to counter and provide them a 32-18 halftime lead. Maddi (10) and Bobbi Chitsey (7) combined for 17 points in the opening half, as LCU was 10-of-16 (62.5%) inside the arc in the half (the Chitsey sisters were a combined 4-of-5 inside the arc in the half).
 
The third quarter included an 11-0 scoring run for LCU, with Allie Schulte scoring seven of the points in consecutive fashion. Schulte tallied nine points in the quarter off 4-of-4 shooting for a 49-29 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
TAMUC tried to rally late, going on a 7-3 run, but LCU diffused the plan by closing the final 4:54 on an 11-3 run. The Lions closed the game going 1-of-11 from the field and missing their final seven shot attempts. LCU explored their bench and received points from seven different players, including freshman Laynee Burr, who co-led the team (with Bobbi Chitsey) in scoring with four points in the quarter.
 
For a second time this season (our of three games) the Lady Chaps played all 12 of their active players. Freshman Channing Cunyus, with her first collegiate field goal, was one of 10 players that played into the offense. Three Lady Chaps found double-figures, with Schulte leading the way and also co-leading the squad (with Olivia Robertson) in assists with six. Maddi Chitsey (12) and Bobbi Chitsey (11 points) also found double-figures. Schulte also produced a season-high +26 plus/minus.
 
LCU produced 10 steals and forced TAMUC into 20 turnovers, leading to a 25-6 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers. The +19 in the category is their highest since a +20 last season against St. Mary's (Feb. 1, 2018).
 
TAMUC (1-2) was led in scoring by Wright, who had 11 points. They out-rebounded LCU 41-30. The last time an LCU opponent had over 10 more rebounds than LCU was on Nov. 25, 2017 against Midwestern State (MSU Texas) and LCU also won that contest (LCU was out-rebounded 48-37 in that contest).
 
The all-time series between the two teams is now tied 2-2. The future conference foes were making their first ever trip to Lubbock.

TURNING POINT
The opening 16:44 of the game, LCU had a stretch going 12-of-18 (66.7%) from the field. They did not miss more than two consecutive shots during the stretch. The Lions never made more than two consecutive shots in the game (they made consecutive shots twice).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU had 10 steals in the game and have reached at least 10 steals in a game in two of their three games this season. LCU hit the mark nine times last season.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU opens the season 3-0 and remains home Friday to open the Arbor Hotels Classic. The Lady Chaps host Southern Nazarene, St. Mary's and UTPB to the Rip Griffin Center for a classic format of games. LCU faces SNU Friday at 6 p.m. and UTPB Saturday at 6 p.m.