STEPHENVILLE, Texas (November 21, 2018) – No.3/10 Lubbock Christian University were plagued with 26 turnovers, leading to a 33-5 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers for Tarleton State University, who defeated LCU 67-56 Wednesday night inside Wisdon Gym.
 
LCU's 26 turnovers were a season high and the most since they suffered their last regular season loss; suffering 28 on Nov. 24, 2017 against Ashland. LCU committed at least five turnovers in each quarter, with nine committed in the opening quarter of play.
 
The opening quarter turnovers, combined with three offensive rebounds, led to the TexAnns producing eight more field goal attempts. The difference allowed a 37.5%-shooting Tarleton squad (6-of-16) to lead a 50%-shooting LCU squad (4-of-8) 13-11 at the end of the first quarter.
 
LCU had an 11-9 lead after an Olivia Robertson jumper with 3:09 left in the opening quarter, but LCU went the final 3:09 of the quarter, and a total time of 4:18 without a point. They suffered a similar circumstance in the second quarter. After making six consecutive field goal attempts, LCU went the final 4:20 of the half, and the next 4:44 of the game, without a point.
 
The Lady Chaps trailed 36-26 at the half despite shooting 50% (10/20) from the field. They had 14 turnovers in the opening half, leading to TSU outscoring LCU 17-0 in points-off-turnovers. The TexAnns benefited off a balanced appetite of offense, receiving offensive production from seven different players (TSU had an 11-0 advantage in points off the bench in the first half).
 
LCU twice chipped the deficit down to eight in the third quarter before the TexAnns went on a 4-0 run to extend the lead to 47-32 with 3:28 remaining in the quarter. Neither team had more than a 7-0 run and LCU closed the third quarter with a 7-0 run sparked by a steal by Robertson to setup a layup by Ashton Duncan with 2:42 left in the quarter. The run cut the TSU lead to 47-39 to start the fourth quarter.
 
Consecutive old-fashioned three-point plays by Robertson and a free-throw by Emma Middleton led a second 7-0 run in the half for LCU and they were able to cut the deficit to 57-51 with 1:45 to go.  Each time LCU pulled within seven points or less in the final seven minutes of the game, the TexAnns either never missed from the field (2-of-2) or earned a trip to the free-throw line (9-of-12 from the line in the quarter). A 61-55 deficit with 47 seconds remaining would be as close as LCU would get.
 
The TexAnns produced 19 steals, which is the most by an LCU opponent since Texas A&M International had 19 steals against LCU on Nov. 21, 2005. Kaylee Allen produced eight steals for the TexAnns, marking the most by an opposing player since Kesha Buckner had eight steals for Newman on Jan. 8, 2015.
 
Allen also had a solid performance from the field, shooting 6-of-12 overall and 3-of-4 from long range for a team-leading 17 points. Mackenzie Allen added 15 points and seven rebounds for Tarleton St, who improved to 4-1 on the season. Tarleton was 45.8% (22/48) from the field.
 
Robertson, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter, led all players with 23 points off 7-of-9 shooting from the field. She was 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, drawing 11 fouls. LCU also received 12 points from Maddi Chitsey. LCU was 47.6% from the field (20/42) and 3-of-12 from three-point range (coming off 16 three-pointers Saturday).
 
The loss (5-1) was LCU's first road loss Feb. 11, 2017 at Arkansas Fort Smith and it ended a nine-game road winning streak (it was the sixth active best in NCAA Division II).
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's pair of dry spells to close each of the first two quarters was too much of a burden to overcome. They had controlled their ball security, committing one turnover in the final 3:06 of the second quarter, but they came uo empty-handed going 0-of-6 from the field during that span. TSU closed the half ona 6-0 run to push their lead into double figures (36-26). From a span which started with a McKinley Bostad hitting a shot at the first quarter buzzer, giving TSU a 13-11 lead, to Hailey's jumper to put the TexAnns up 45-32 with 4:03 left in the third quarter, TSU was 12-of-19 from the field (63.2%).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU fell to 5-21 all-time against TSU and 2-12 all-time in Stephenville.  Their last four losses in Wisdom Gym have included the same recipe for disaster: turnovers and free-throws.  Here is a look:
 
Nov. 16, 2013 – 19 LCU turnovers… Tarleton 22-of-29 from the free-throw line
Nov. 18, 2010 – 31 LCU turnovers… Tarleton 24-of-35 from the free-throw line
Dec. 30, 2008 – 21 LCU turnovers… Tarleton 25-of-33 from the free-throw line
Nov. 21, 2018 – 26 LCU turnovers… Tarleton 19-of-24 from the free-throw line
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU will head to San Antonio, Texas for the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic and will open their Alamo City stay Friday with a 1 p.m. tip against Kutztown University (of Pennsylvania) inside Bill Greehey Arena.