LUBBOCK, Texas (December 31, 2018) – Lubbock Christian University opened the second half on an 18-3 run and Bobbi Chitsey led the Lady Chaparrals with 14 points, as they defeated Eastern New Mexico 64-48 in a New Year's Eve contest inside Rip Griffin Center. LCU extended their NCAA Division II active-leading home win streak to 57 consecutive wins.
 
The two squads each shot under 29% in their prior meeting last season and the start of Monday's game was matching the flow of the previous meeting. ENMU opened the game 0-of-6 from the field, but LCU did not take full advantage of the Greyhounds shooting woes. LCU led 4-0 before ENMU received a three-pointer from Tilasha Okey 3:40 into the game for their first field goal of the game. Through each team's opening 12 shot attempts, LCU was 4-of-12 (33.3%) and ENMU was 1-of-12 (8.3%) from the field. ENMU was held to one field goal in the first quarter (1-of-13 in the quarter) and opened the game 1-of-16 (6.3%) before they made their second field goal. Olivia Robertson and Maddi Chitsey each had five points in the opening quarter and led LCU to a 15-6 lead at the close of the first quarter.
 
Once ENMU made their second field goal (with 7:22 remaining in the second quarter), they closed the first half going 7-of-13 from the field. Meanwhile, LCU went a sequence of eight consecutive missed field goal attempts in the second quarter, which was part of a 1-of-12 shooting stretch. Despite LCU's 4-of-16 (25%) shooting in the quarter, ENMU outscored LCU 14-12 in the quarter and cut LCU's lead to 27-20 at the half.
 
LCU opened the second half outscoring the Greyhounds 18-3 to jump out to a 45-23 lead with 4:46 left in the third quarter. LCU was 8-of-12 from the field in the third quarter, with Bobbi Chitsey posting 10 points in the quarter to help the Lady Chaps outscore ENMU 23-12 in the quarter. They took a 52-30 lead into the fourth quarter. Their lead was never in jeopardy in the final quarter and Olivia Robertson was 3-of-3 from the field in the quarter to lead LCU with six points in the quarter.
 
ENMU, dropping to 7-3, had their worst shooting performance against a NCAA Division II squad this season (they shot 28.3% and held to 46 points earlier this season against Div. I Abilene Christian). The Greyhounds were 30.5% (18/59) from the field and held to 48 points (they were averaging 90.8 points in their prior five games). Treyanna Clay posted a double-double in the loss with 15 points and 10 rebounds. They also received 13 points from Zamorye Cox, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter.    
 
The Lady Chaps shooting performance (24/59, 40.7%) marked only the third time this season in which they shot under 41%. It was their lowest shooting performance at home this season. Bobbi Chitsey was one of three Lady Chaps in double figures, as Olivia Robertson contributed 13 points and Maddi Chitsey recorded 11 points.
 
LCU improved to 10-4 on the season. The win is LCU's sixth straight win over the Greyhounds, and they have won 11 of the prior 13 meetings. The win also marked LCU's third consecutive victory and they are 7-0 at home this season.  
 
TURNING POINT
LCU surged in the third quarter, opening the quarter with a 10-0 run, which was part of the 18-3 scoring sequence to open the second half. The Lady Chaps were 6-of-7 from the field during the offensive frenzy, with three of the field goals (one from three-point range) tallied by Bobbi Chitsey. ENMU, who opened the first half missing their first six field goal attempts, opened the second half 1-of-6.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU closed the 2018 calendar year 29-5 (85.3%) record in games played during the 2018 calendar year. They also improved to 5-2 all-time on New Year's Eve games. LCU is 4-2 all-time in New Year's Eve games played under head coach Steve Gomez and 3-1 all-time in non-conference games played on New Year's Eve. LCU had a 26-5 record (83.9%) for all games played in 2017, and went 29-10 (74.4%) in 2016 and 24-4 (85.7%) in 2015.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Another break for the Lady Chaps, as they play Heartland Conference contests the rest of the way. They begin to defend their Heartland Conference title Thursday, Jan. 10 in Laredo, Texas, opening conference play facing Texas A&M International.