WEATHERFORD, Okla. (December 3, 2018) – Southwestern Oklahoma State was able to keep their 20-game home win streak inside Pioneer Cellular Events Center alive, as they forced No.15/18 Lubbock Christian University into 27 turnovers and overcame a 12-point fourth quarter deficit with a 10-2 run to end the game for a 77-75 win over the Lady Chaps Monday despite a 25-point performance for Olivia Robertson.
 
The Lady Chaps led 66-54 with 9:19 remaining, and never appeared shaken until leading 73-67 with 2:11 left in the contest. SWOSU, who had just completed a span of seven straight misses over a span of 4:35, was able to connect on consecutive field goals, and a three-pointer by Hayden Priddy with 1:31 remaining cut LCU's lead to 73-72. Each team came up empty handed on their ensuing possessions before Robertson put up a jumper to place LCU with a 75-72 lead with 45 seconds left. Hailey Tucker made free throws for SWOSU on the other end and LCU called a timeout to advance the in-bounds with 35 seconds left leading 75-74. LCU turned over the inbounds and SWOSU took advantage with a field goal from Bethany Banks to take a 76-75 lead with 17 seconds left. LCU committed another turnover on the following possession and were forced to foul. They sent Tyra Aska to the line, who made one of two free-throws placing the SWOSU at 77-75 with 11 seconds left.  LCU grabbed the rebound and transitioned up the court, but Maddi Chitsey ended up having to take an off-balance three-point attempt, which was not close.
 
LCU's 27 turnovers marked a season high and it was the most since producing 28 on Nov. 24, 2017 against Ashland. They were outscored 36-11 in points-off-turnovers.  The -25 in the point differential was not as much as their -28 discrepancy earlier this season (33-5 on Nov. 21 at Tarleton State), but the 36 points allowed off turnovers is the most since specialty game-by-game statistics were kept on file (starting the 2008-09 season).
 
The Lady Chaps had a promising start despite the turnovers. They led 17-14 after the first quarter, shooting 63.6% (7/11) from the field, and then 64.3% (9/14) in the second quarter for a 38-33 halftime lead. Maddi Chitsey led the Lady Chaps with nine points in the first half.
 
LCU, shooting 64% (16/25) in the first half, opened the second half 3-of-4 from the field and Bobbi Chitsey's three-pointer with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter had LCU sitting 19-of-29 (65.5%) from the field. They went 7-of-23 (30.4%) the rest of the way. Robertson had five of the seven field goals as part of an 18-point second half performance.
 
The Lady Chaps 50% (26/52) shooting performance topped SWOSU's 37.3% (25/67) shooting night. The Lady Bulldogs were 8-of-30 (26.7%) from three-point range. Priddy was 5-of-10, placing the rest of the Bulldogs 3-of-20 (15%) from long range. With 36 points coming off turnovers, it accounted of 46.8% of their total scoring. SWOSU, improving to 6-1 on the season, received 25 points from Hailey Tucker, who was 0-of-9 from three-point range. They also received 23 from Priddy and 10 points from Aska.
 
LCU, 85% (17-of-20) from the free-throw line, received their third consecutive performance of at least 20 points from Olivia Robertson. She was 9-of-18 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, as she matched a career high with her 25-point output. Maddi Chitsey (14 points) and Kailin Davis (11 points) also contributed offensively for the Lady Chaps.
 
The Lady Chaps, dropping to 7-3 overall, are now 2-0 on the road.  They have combined for 53 turnovers and have been outscored 69-16 in points-off-turnovers in the combined two games.
 
TURNING POINT
With 2:37 remaining in the game and LCU leading 71-65, Caitlyn Cunyus missed the second free-throw attempt on a trip to the line. SWOSU's Tucker pulled down the rebound, but in transition, Olivia Robertson stole the ball, but missed the open layup, which would have put LCU up eight points with 2:30 remaining. LCU was out-scored 8-4 following the miss.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Blowing leads is a rarity for the Lady Chaps.  The last time they let a lead of 12 points or more slip away was back on Jan. 1, 2015, as LCU had let an 18-point lead slip away in a loss to Oklahoma City University (that loss was LCU's last home loss).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU, who just completed a stretch of four consecutive games against opponents projected to win their respective conference in preseason conference polls, will seek their first road win Saturday, as they head to Lawton, Okla. to face Cameron with a 2 p.m. tip inside Aggie Gym.