LUBBOCK, Texas (February 10, 2018) – Payback was the name of the game for Lubbock Christian University, aiming to even the regular season series, as the Chaparrals cruised to an 81-70 Heartland Confernce win Saturday afternoon over Rogers State University inside Rip Griffin Center. Brennen Fowler led four Chaparral players in double-scoring figures with 18 points and eight rebounds.
 
After Rogers State opened up the match with four straight points, senior Marcos Schuster took matters into his own hands knocking down three consecutive triples. Schuster's hot-hand pushed the Chaps to 13 unanswered points. It was not until the eighth minute that the Hillcats were able to break into double-digits, but by that point Lubbock Christian had doubled the Hillcats score to take a 20-10 lead. Four minutes later, Fowler threw down a dunk capping a 12-4 scoring run for the Chaparrals and extending their lead to 18 points. Rogers State was able to knock the LCU lead down to 12 with 2:23 left in the half, but the Chaps were able to find their footing and take a 45-31 advantage at the break.
 
Schuster's 11 points and three treys pushed the Chaps to a 50% (7-for-14) three-point shooting average for the half. Three LCU players were perfect from the field to lead the Lubbock Christian squad to an astonishing 64% (16-for-25) field goal mark. The Chaparral defense swarmed the Hillcats forcing them into a 38.7% average from the field and just one three-pointer throughout the entire first period. LCU also dismantled Rogers State on the glass with a 19-10 rebounding advantage.
 
The Hillcats hit back-to-back buckets to open up the second period and cut the Lubbock Christian lead to a nine-point margin. Isaac Asrat put RSU's momentum to rest after marching down the floor and knocking down a triple to put the Chaps back up 48-36. LCU then put up a four-minute stretch in which eight of their 12 points came from the free throw line. With 4:46 remaining, Fowler slipped a pocket pass to Asrat who missed on a layup. Fortunately, Fowler followed up on the rebound for a put-back dunk that gave the Chaparrals a 74-58 lead. From that point on, Lubbock Christian scored their final seven points from the free throw line to seal the game with an 81-70 victory.
 
LCU cooled down to a 36% (9-of-25) second-half shooting mark, but were able to compensate with an 88.2% (15-of-17) outing from the free throw line. Fowler netted seven field goals for the day to lead the Chaps to a 50% (25-for-50) shooting average. Asrat lead the charge from beyond the arc drilling five of Lubbock Christian's 10 three-pointers for the contest.
 
LCU's victory over Rogers State generates a two-game win streak for the Chaparrals and improves their overall record to 12-12 on the year. They are also now 8-5 in Heartland  Conference matches.


INSIDE THE NUMBERS
After a season-high 88% team free throw average Thursday night against Dallas Baptist, the Chaps one-upped themselves Saturday afternoon over the Hillcats. Kentton Williams, who was 5-of-6 from the field, nabbed a perfect 7-for-7 mark from the stripe to lead LCU to a 91.3% (21-of-23) clip against Rogers State.


WHAT'S NEXT
Lubbock Christian will now look ahead to their final home contest of the season Feb. 15 against Newman University. Thursday night's contest against the Jets will double as senior night where the Chaps will honor Marcos Schuster for his career in the blue and white. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. following the LCU women.