LUBBOCK, Texas (February 15, 2018) – Sisters Maddi (19 points) and Bobbi Chitsey combined for 32 points and No.2 Lubbock Christian University set a program record from the free-throw line en route to a 70-56 win over Newman on Senior Night inside Rip Griffin Center. The win secured sole possession of their third Heartland Conference regular season title, and extended their NCAA Division II active leading home win streak to 47 games (49 straight conference home wins, including 43-0 all-time in Heartland Conference home games).
 
LCU set a single-game program record, going 22-of-22 from the free-throw line (100%). The mark, which is the best by a NCAA Division II program this season (best since Bemidji State went 27-of-27 on Feb. 18, 2017), is the second best performance from the line by a Heartland Conference team. The conference record is 26-of-26, held by Oklahoma Christian (Dec. 31, 2015). The Lady Chaps record mark topped the previous mark of 18-of-18, which was completed against Hardin-Simmons on Jan. 31, 1985. Newman was near perfect from the line as well, as they went 94.1% from the line with a 16-of-17 performance. Combining the two performances, the squads were a combined 38-of-39 (97.4%) from the line.
 
The Lady Chaps wasted no time jumping out on the Jets, and they produced the offensive fireworks without a point in the opening quarter from leading scorer Tess Bruffey. LCU opened the game on a 14-0 run, with the Chitsey sisters producing much of the offensive work. The sisters combined for 12 points in the opening quarter (seven by Maddi Chitsey). Olivia Robertson, with five points in the quarter, hit a three-pointer to cap the 14-0 run. Newman was plagued by turnovers in the opening quarter, with five occurring in the first five minutes of the game. The Jets did not score their first points until Hannah Alexander hit a field goal with 4:26 left in the quarter. Alexander had the Jets first eight points of the game, including a 6-0 run by herself, which cut the LCU lead to 14-6. They led 19-11 at the close of the first quarter.
 
Nia Roberts, the only other Jet to score a point in the first half, opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to cut LCU's lead to 19-14, but it was as close as they would get for the game's remainder. LCU's Kailin Davis answered with a three-pointer and jumpstarted an 11-0 run. LCU shot 54.5% (6/11) in the quarter and Bruffey jumped into the mix with six points to help LCU take a 38-24 halftime lead. Alexander had 16 points at the half, with Newman's other eight points in the half coming from Roberts. Each Chitsey had nine points to lead LCU at the break.
 
The second half was a balanced half. Newman cut LCU's lead down to 10 on three occasions, but never cut it into single digits. Meanwhile, LCU never led by more than 18 points in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth quarter.
 
LCU outscored Newman 21-12 in points off turnovers. Maddi Chitsey led LCU with 19 points, with 10 coming in the second half. Bobbi provided 13 points and was joined in double figures by Olivia Robertson (11 points) and Delaney Gaddis (11 points, matching season high). Alexander led all scorers with 25 points, which was the second most against the Lady Chaps this season by an opposing player. She was 11-of-20 from the field. Bria DeGrate added 11 points for the Jets. LCU was 39.6% (21/53) from the field, which was a season low at home and their worst shooting mark at home since shooting 37.7% against Newman on Feb. 16, 2017.
 
The game marked the final regular season home games for LCU seniors Bruffey, Gaddis and Caitlyn Buttram. The Lady Chaps swept the season series over Newman and improved to 23-1 overall and 12-0 in conference with the win. Newman fell to 17-10 overall and 8-5 in Heartland play.
 
TURNING POINT
The 11-0 run in the second quarter was vital in the Lady Chaps win.  It turned a 19-14 lead into a 30-14 lead and LCU's lead never slipped under 10 the rest of the way. LCU was 4-of-4 from the field during the run, with four different Lady Chaps connecting on field goals during the surge. The Lady Chaps were 2-of-7 from the field during the quarter outside the run.  
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU continues to win despite their leading scorer held without big offensive production. Bruffey is averaging 8.7 rebounds over the last three games, but she has been held in single digits in points in each of the games. The three consecutive games with less than 10 points matches a career high for her (she has never had four straight games with less than 10 points). The last time Bruffey was held to three consecutive games in single digits was Nov. 23 – Dec. 1, 2016. Bruffey is still a presence on the floor, averaging three blocks and three assists per game over the three-game stretch.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
A quick turnaround awaits LCU, as they play Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma City. The Lady Chaps tip-off at Oklahoma Christian at 1 p.m.