CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (3-1, 0-0)
VS. LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (4-1, 0-0)
Friday, November 23 - 7:30 PM                                             
First United Bank Center (Canyon, Texas)
Radio: 100.7 FM "The Score"
All-Time Series: UCO leads 1-0
 
PAK IT UP
Lubbock Christian University makes a return to Canyon, Texas Friday, as they open play in the Pak-A-Sak Thanksgiving Classic. LCU will face Central Oklahoma Friday and Colorado State University – Pueblo Saturday, with each tip scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside First United Bank Center. The Chaparrals are riding a two-game win streak and the only interruption in their 4-1 start was an 82-70 loss to No.4/7 West Texas A&M in their prior contest at First United Bank Center. The games are LCU's final games before facing Dallas Baptist in their Heartland Conference opener on Nov. 29 inside Rip Griffin Center.   
 
MONDAY'S MUSINGS
Isaac Asrat led all scorers with 22 points, Kentton Williams provided his second career double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) and LCU used a 44-25 rebound advantage to cruise to an 89-53 victory over Dallas Christian College Monday night inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
LCU's 44-25 rebound advantage provided a +19 advantage in the category, which is their biggest rebound advantage since a +25 (37-12) on Jan. 19, 2017 against St. Edward's. The team total of 44 was their largest rebound total since Nov. 26, 2016 against Washburn in Puerto Rico. The Chaps also had a 46-12 scoring advantage in the paint.
 
LCU shot 50.7% (35/69) from the field for their first shooting performance over 50% this season. They were 10-of-35 (28.6%) from three-point range and 25-of-34 (73.5%) inside the arc. The 10 three-pointers are a season high (LCU made at least 10 three-pointers in four games last season). Asrat posted a season-high 22 points in the victory and was one of three Chaps in double figures. He also contributed nine rebounds.  Brennen Fowler was a rebound shy (nine) from having a fourth consecutive double-double performance (he finished with 19 points). Williams' double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds marked his first double-double of the season.
 
DCC, a NCCAA member institution, counted the game as an exhibition game on their schedule. They finished the game 32.7% from the field (18/55), and they were 29.6% (8/27) from long range. The shooting mark was the lowest by an LCU opponent since LCU held St. Mary's to a 29.8% shooting mark on Jan. 6 of last season. Prior to ending the game successful on their final three shot attempts, DCC had made consecutive shot attempts once in the game. Davonte Brownlee led the Crusaders with 14 points and Hunter Bennett added 12.
 
The Chaps improved to 4-1 with the victory. The 36-point margin of victory was their largest since a 49-point victory (87-38) over St. Mary's on Feb. 25, 2016.
 
NEUTRALIZING THINGS
LCU 1-3 in neutral site games last season, is 2-0 in neutral site contests this season. They defeated Colorado School of Mines (70-62) and No.18 Regis (63-58) in San Antonio, Texas to open the season. Brennen Fowler leads LCU in road play with averages of 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
 
DOUBLE VISION
Brennen Fowler had his streak of double-doubles end Monday, coming a rebound shy of his fourth straight double-double. His three double-doubles this season have him tied for fourth nationally in the category and leading the Heartland Conference. The national leaders have five this season. Fowler is averaging 18.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest this season. His 10.0 rebounds per game rank 15^th nationally. He also ranks 16^th in total rebounds (50).
 
STRONG FINISHES
LCU's first three games of the season have been low scoring in the first half of play. LCU is averaging 32.2 points in the first half compared to 41.2 in the second half. Their opponents are averaging 28.0 points in the first half and 36.4 points in the second half. Overall, LCU is holding their opponents to an average of 64.4 points per game (LCU averaged 72.5 points per game last season), ranking 30^th nationally in NCAA Div. II.
 
"D-UP!"
The Chaparrals are holding opponents to a 39.7% shooting mark from the field, which ranks 38^th nationally. Inside, the Chaps are averaging 39.2 rebounds per game and rank 48^th nationally with a rebound margin of 7.0 per game. The Chaps had a +19 rebound margin in their last game and are averaging a +13 in their last three games.
 
FIVE FACTS ABOUT UCO
- UCO is 3-1 this season and coming off an 87-53 home win over NAIA Southwestern Christian (Okla.). They are 2-0 this season in neutral site contests.
- The Bronchos went 20-10 last season, going 12-7 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). Their season ended with a semifinal loss in the MIAA Tournament to Northwest Missouri. They were slated to finish fifth this season in the MIAA Preseason Poll.
- Central Oklahoma ranks eighth in the nation in free-throw percentage with a free-throw shooting mark of 82.6%. They average 19.0 points per game from the free-throw line and average an allowance of 12 points per game from the line.
- Josh Holliday is averaging 3.5 three-pointers per game, which leads the MIAA and ranks 36^th nationally.
- Adarius Avery, who ranks second in the MIAA with an average of 9.0 rebounds per game, leads the conference and ranks 36^th nationally in steals per game with an average of 2.5 per contest.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST UCO
UCO was known as Central State University the only prior time these two programs last met. The Bronchos won that prior meeting 68-61 in overtime on Dec. 7, 1984.