TEXAS – PERMIAN BASIN (8-1, 1-0 Lone Star)
at LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (7-4, 1-1 Heartland)
Wednesday, December 19 - 5 PM
Rip Griffin Center (Lubbock, Texas)
Radio: 100.7 FM "The Score"
All-Time Series: Tied 4-4
 
BEFORE WE BREAK
Lubbock Christian University play their final game before the Christmas Break Wednesday at 5 p.m hosting University of Texas of the Permian Basin inside Rip Griffin Center. The Chaps are playing their third consecutive game against a Lone Star Conference opponent and LCU is 2-2 against Lone Star Conference members this season. The contest is also the first of a three-game homestand for the Chaps.      
 
LOOKING BACK AT THE LAST GAME
Brennen Fowler produced 22 points and 10 rebounds, but his double-double performance for Lubbock Christian University was pushed aside by a 23-7 scoring run by Cameron, as the Aggies overcame a 16-point deficit to top the Chaparrals 88-71 Saturday inside Aggie Gym.

LCU, who entered the game holding opponents to an average of 67.8 points per game, allowed 61 points in the second half of the game, which marked the most the Chaps have allowed in a half of basketball since allowing 62 from West Texas A&M on Nov. 17, 2016. Of Cameron's 61 points in the second half, 40 came from the field (12 of the 40 from beyond the arc) and 21 points came from the free-throw line. The two teams combined for 41 free-throws in the half (Cameron was 21-of-25 for 84% in the half), as 31 fouls were committed.

Cameron's march actually started late in the first half after Jay Workman's jumper with 1:33 left in the half provided LCU a 35-19 lead. The Aggies followed Workman's bucket with 4-0 run, cutting LCU's lead to 39-27. The 4-0 run carried over into the second half and was an eventual 8-0 run before Fowler ended a 4:14 scoreless sequence with LCU's first field goal of the second half. It appeared LCU was going to weather the storm 5:21 into the second half, as Isaac Asrat nailed a three-pointer to put LCU up 47-40, but Cameron responded with an 11-2 run. The sequences were part of Cameron's 23-7 run, which turned a 44-33 LCU lead into a 56-51 deficit. LCU trailed 68-55 and tried to bounce back with a 5-0 run capped by a Kentton Williams three-pointer, but Cameron responded with a 5-0 run to match it. The Aggies led as much as 83-69 and LCU closest deficit in the final two minutes was 83-74. Cameron outscored LCU 26-10 in the paint in the second half and 17-7 in points-off-turnovers in the half.

It was a tale of two halves for each squad. LCU was 60% (15/25) in the first half from the field, but shot 36.7% (11/30) in the second half. Meanwhile, Cameron was 33.3% (11/33) from the field in the first half and 52.9% (18/34) from the field in the second half. The Chaps were 71.4% inside the arc in the opening half, but 33.3% (6/18) the second half inside the arc. LCU did produce outside, matching a season high with 10 three-pointers.

Play in the paint and turnovers were areas Cameron took advantage of Saturday. LCU was outscored 42-26 in the paint and 24-16 in points-off-turnovers, as LCU produced a season-high 21 turnovers (their most since 23 turnovers were committed Jan. 17, 2018 vs. Arkansas - Fort Smith).

The Aggies, improving to 3-6, had five players in double figures, led by Zachary Dumas and Tyus Momoh, who each had 17 points. Dumas added seven steals to his 17 points, and the steals total is the most by a Chaps opposing player since Trey Sneed of Randall had seven steals on Nov. 20, 2015. Cameron had 13 steals in the game.

The Chaps produced 11 blocks in the game, which was three blocks shy of the program record of 14, last set on Oct. 31, 2009 against Dallas Christian (LCU's 11 blocks was the most since 2009). The total registered as tied for the sixth most blocks by a NCAA Div. II program this season and the second time this season Cameron has suffered 11 blocks in a game. Fowler had six blocks to match a career high.

It was a tough night to suffer a loss for Fowler, whose six blocks went along a stat line, which included 22 points, 10 rebounds and an 8-of-12 shooting performance from the field. LCU also received 15 points from Workman and 10 points from Asrat.

ISAAC'S LAW
LCU guard Isaac Asrat averaged 5.0 points per game through the first two games of the season, but since then, he has at least 10 points scored in nine consecutive games and is averaging 17.6 points per game over the span.
 
CAREER CALCULATOR
Lubbock Christian University forward Brennen Fowler, a two-time Heartland Conference Player of the Week, has some active numbers he is building each game in NCAA Division II play. The senior from Smyer, Texas has 1,211 career points, ranking fifth among NCAA Division II active career leaders in double-double (29). He also ranks seventh in blocks (147) and eighth in rebounds (741).
 
HOME RULES
LCU is back on the Rip Griffin Center hardwood, where they are 3-1 this season and went 10-3 last season (39-8 since the start of the 2015-16 season). Isaac Asrat is leading the squad at home this season, averaging 15.5 points at home this season. The Chaps are shooting 60.8% at home this season inside the arc. In their last home game, a 68-65 win over No.7 West Texas A&M (Dec. 6), LCU set a Rip Griffin Center record with a 63.6% shooting mark from three-point range, as LCU was 7-of-11 outside the arc.
 
BOARD TALK
Despite ranking fifth in the Heartland Conference in rebounds (390), LCU entered the weekend ranking 98^th nationally in the category. Opponents have only out-rebounded LCU once over their last nine games. Fowler enters Saturday ranking 37^th nationally in rebounds with 93.
 
STRONG FINISHES
LCU's contests have been low scoring in the first half of play. LCU is averaging 34.0 points in the first half compared to 40.1 in the second half. Their opponents are averaging 30.1 points in the first half and 39.5 points in the second half. Overall, LCU is holding their opponents to an average of 69.6 points per game (LCU averaged 72.5 points per game last season), ranking 68^th nationally in NCAA Div. II.
 
LEADER OF LEADERS
How important is Brennen Fowler to the Chaps? Not too many teams have a player that leads their team in points (17.3 per game), rebounding (8.5), blocks (16) and total assists (28), as Fowler is doing.
 
GAME OF PERCENTAGES
The Chaparrals are leading the Heartland Conference with a team field goal shooting mark of 48.2%. On the defensive side, they are holding opponents to a 40.9% shooting mark from the field, which ranks 42^nd nationally.   
 
FIVE FACTS ABOUT UTPB
- Texas – Permian Basin is 8-1 on the season and 3-0 on the road. They defeated Arlington Baptist 120-64 Monday, which extended their win streak to six games.
- The Falcons went 26-7 last season, with a 14-14 mark in Lone Star Conference play. Their season came to a close with a loss at the NCAA South Central Region Championship Game to West Texas A&M.
- UTPB is preseason picked fifth in the LSC Preseason Poll. They are off to a 1-0 start in LSC play. They are in their first season with Josh Newman at the helm, as he departed Arkansas - Fort Smith. He took over for Andy Newman, who left for California State, San Bernardino.
- The Falcons lead the nation in perimeter defense, holding opponents to a 25.2% shooting percentage from three-point range. Despite the percentages, opposing teams are still connecting on a pace of 7.1 three-pointers a game, and opponents have hit more three-pointers (64) than the Falcons (58).
- UTPB is fourth nationally in rebounding margin with an 11.0 average rebound margin per game. The Falcons have out-rebounded their opponents in seven of their nine games and have averaged a 24.0 rebounding margin in their prior two games.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST UTPB
Wednesday's contest will serve as the ninth meeting all-time between the Chaps and the Falcons dating back to the 2011-2012 season. The all-time series is tied 4-4, with LCU's last victory coming in 2016, with an 82-71 result inside Rip Griffin Center (Jan. 2, 2016). Lubbock Christian lost each of the prior two meetings and both were on UTPB's floor in Odessa, Texas (previous meeting UTPB won 85-80 on Nov. 15, 2017). The Chaparrals hold a 3-1 record when playing inside Rip Griffin Center. Three of the eight games in the rivalry have extended into overtime periods.
 
PRIOR MEETING WITH UTPB
Odessa, Texas (Nov. 15, 2017) – UTPB 85 – LCU 80
Lubbock Christian University men's basketball had a mammoth task on their hands facing No. 6 University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. Though they attempted a 14-point comeback, the Chaps ultimately fell to the Falcons by a final score of 85-80. Junior guard Isaac Asrat had himself a monstrous game scoring 21 points on six three-pointers and a trio of free throws for Lubbock Christian.
 
It was Texas – Permian Basin that got onto the scoreboard first for the evening jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead over the Chaparrals. LCU quickly found their feet and roared back to steal the lead at 10-9 after a long-range triple by Jay Workman at the 13:33 mark of the opening half. Lubbock Christian's advantage was short-lived as UTPB responded with a 16-3 scoring run that ended at the 8:04 mark. LCU sophomore Kentton Williams marked his second bucket of the night to disrupt the Falcon's offense and cut the Chaparral deficit to 25-15 with 7:45 on the clock. Texas – Permian Basin answered with a field goal of their own to take their largest lead of the half at 12 points on a jumper by Amari Bryant. Stephen Lennox took possession before being fouled and heading to the line for a pair of Lubbock Christian free throws. After Lennox converted on both shots, the Chaparrals proceeded to throw down a 9-2 run that was highlighted by five consecutive points from Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath to bring the UTPB lead to 31-28 with 2:37 left in the half. Lubbock Christian gave up six more points in the period while scoring two more free throws setting the score to 37-30 in favor of the Falcons at halftime.
 
LCU once again got out to a slow first half shooting 33.3% from the field on 8-of-24 attempts. Williams and Gilbreath led the Chaps with seven points apiece in the period to keep LCU within striking distance. Jay Workman posted six points in the half on two of Lubbock Christian's three buckets from behind the arc.
 
Though the Chaparral defense held UTPB to 3-of-12 shooting from three-point range, the Falcons tallied a 45.2% (14-of-31) mark from the field in the half. James McPherson paved the way for Permian Basin accounting for 18 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.
 
The second half opened up with over a full minute of scoreless play before Daeshon Francis netted a couple of free throws for Texas – Permian Basin at the 18:55 mark. Just over a minute later, McPherson once again made his presence known with a triple that extended UTPB's lead to 14 points, 44-30, their largest of the night. The Chaps came back and moved the ball around before Marcos Schuster found Isaac Asrat, who had two points in the opening half, for a three-pointer to pump some life back into the LCU offense. UTPB tried quieting LCU down with a jumper from Bryant placing the score at 46-33 with 17:12 on the clock. Asrat was having none of that as he found his stroke and scored seven of the Chaparral's next nine points to bring Lubbock Christian within eight points of the Falcons at 50-42. The Chaps proceeded to trade baskets with UTPB before Kentton Williams split a pair of free throws for Lubbock Christian with 10:27 remaining. Asrat then nailed his fifth three pointer of the half before Workman knocked down a triple of his own to even the score at 65 with 7:05 to play. Brennen Fowler drained a go-ahead jumper to hand LCU their first lead since a 10-9 advantage in the first half. Williams followed with a long-range bucket from behind the arc giving the Chaparrals their largest lead of the game at 70-65. UTPB's McPherson evened the game back up at 75 after a pair of free throws at the 3:28 mark. Williams hit one final free throw for LCU giving the Chaps their final lead of the game, 75-74, before Josh Morris converted inside the paint for the Falcons to provide the game's final lead change. Asrat nailed his final trey of the night with 29 seconds left, but it was not enough as Texas Permian Basin went on to finish Lubbock Christian 85-80.
 
Asrat provided the second half heroics for LCU with 19 points in the period on 6-of-7 (85.7%) shooting from beyond the arc. Fowler accounted for nine points in the half while Williams worked in seven points of his own. Workman tacked on five points and four assists throughout the final 20 minutes.
 
Texas – Permian Basin got to the free throw line 37 times on the evening converting on 24 for a 64.9% free throw average. McPherson carried the Falcons with a game-high 36 points in addition to four rebounds and three assists. As a team, UTPB shot 47.4% (27-of-57) from the floor.
 
Asrat's season-high 21-point performance marked one of four Chaparral's to record double-scoring figures. Williams posted 14 points for himself while Workman and Fowler each tabbed 11 points. After a shaky opening half, LCU recorded a season-high 48.1% (26-of-54) performance from the field and 73.3% average from downtown. Lubbock Christian marked 17 points from the bench and turned 18 points off of turnovers.