NEWMAN (17-9, 8-4)
at No.2 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (22-1, 11-0)
Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 6 p.m.
Rip Griffin Center (Lubbock, Texas)
TV: Fox 34 News Now
Radio: 100.7FM The Score
All-Time Series: LCU Leads 8-2
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FIRST AND FOREMOST
No.2 Lubbock Christian University has a unique schedule this week in their pair of Heartland Conference games. The Lady Chaps play their final home game of the regular season Thursday hosting Newman and then hit the road for a Saturday afternoon contest at Oklahoma Christian in Oklahoma City. LCU can lock up sole possession of their Heartland Conference regular season title with either a win or a loss by Arkansas-Fort Smith.
LOOK AT THEIR LAST GAME
No.2 Lubbock Christian University clinched at least a share of the Heartland Conference regular season title Saturday, as the Lady Chaparrals connected on 13 three-pointers at a 61.9% rate to defeat Rogers State University 82-38 inside Rip Griffin Center.
LCU opened the game with a 4-0 lead and led 7-2, following a three-pointer from
Caitlyn Cunyus, but Rogers State rallied in the quarter with a 5-0 run and led LCU 11-10 with 3:15 left in the quarter.
Bobbi Chitsey changed things for LCU, closing out the remainder of the quarter on a 4-0 run and it ignited a 12-0 LCU run. LCU went 5-of-5 from the field during the run and held RSU off the scoreboard for a span of 4:53. The Hillcats were without a field goal for a seven-minute span. Their dry spell ended on a three-pointer from Desiree Nelson with 6:25 remaining in the second quarter to end LCU's 17-1 run. LCU held RSU to 16.7% (3/18) shooting in the second quarter (13.3%, 2/15, inside the arc). Meanwhile, LCU was 4-of-7 from three-point range in the quarter, with
Kailin Davis connecting on two of the three pointers. Davis was one of five Lady Chaps with six points at the half, as Cunyus,
Olivia Robertson,
Tess Bruffey and Chitsey joined Davis to account for 30 of LCU's 34 points in the half, as LCU led 34-19 at the break. Defensively, LCU had seven blocks in the first half, with Bruffey producing five of the blocks.
The Lady Chaps scoring bonanza continued in the second half, as 68.8% (11/16) shooting from the field led to LCU outscoring RSU 29-10 in the third quarter. They were 9-of-12 (75%) inside the arc and 2-of-4 (50%) outside the arc.
Maddi Chitsey exploded for 12 points in the quarter off 4-of-5 shooting. LCU's 29 points in the quarter matched a season high for points in a quarter (29 in third quarter against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Dec. 7, 2017) and was one off their program record of 30 (Mar. 13, 2016 vs. West Texas A&M).
LCU went to their bench for most of the fourth quarter, as they entered the quarter leading 63-29.
Madelyn Turner made use of her time on the floor, as the freshman was 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range for a career high 11 points. LCU outscored RSU 19-9 in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Chaps shot 66.7% (18/27) from the field and 63.6% (7/11) in the second half. LCU completed the game 54.7% (29/53) from the field and 13-of-21 (61.9%) from three-point range. They also went 11-of-12 (91.7%) from the free-throw line for a second consecutive time against RSU this season.
Maddi Chitsey led LCU with 14 points. Cunyus (12 points) and Turner (11 points) also finished in double figures offensively for LCU. The Lady Chaps committed five turnovers in the first quarter, but limited their turnovers to four for the remainder of the game for a total of nine. RSU, held to 22.4% (13/58) shooting mark from the field (10-of-46, 21.7%, inside the arc), was led by Lauren Schuldt, who registered 10 points.
WHAT'S DONE IS DONE
The Heartland Conference regular season title they claimed, at least a share of Saturday, is LCU's fifth conference title in program history and the third in the Heartland Conference. LCU will finish with at least a share of first place for a fourth time since joining the Heartland Conference (LCU was unable to claim the regular season title in 2014-15 due to transitioning to NCAA Division II membership status).
MARGINS
LCU leads the Heartland Conference in is rebounding margin (31st nationally), with an average of 6.7 more rebounds per game over their opposition, and they rank sixth nationally in scoring margin (average a win margin of 20.9 points per game).
THAT'S FOUL
LCU moved into ninth nationally in fouls per game with a low of 14.1 fouls per contest. The fouls have led to LCU having a 14.6 - 9.3 scoring advantage over their opponents from the free-throw line (14.7 - 7.5 advantage in conference games).
Tess Bruffey leads LCU averaging 3.7 points per game from the free-throw line.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
In LCU's 22 wins, they have faced deficits in 12 of them and their largest deficits in all 12 occasions have come in the first quarter. Despite the stat, LCU has not trailed at the end of the first quarter in any of their 22 wins.
NATIONALLY KNOWN
Updated national rankings came out Tuesday afternoon, and the Lady Chaparrals remained at No.2 in both the D2SIDA and WBCA NCAA Div. II Women's Basketball Top-25 Poll for a fourth consecutive week. The only team they are behind is No.1 Ashland, who is the only team to defeat LCU this season. The No.2 ranking matches their best ranking this season in each poll.
PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES
LCU leads the Heartland Conference and ranks seventh nationally in field goal percentage, shooting 47.4% from the field. They have shot at least 50% 10 times this season. Their allowance of 51.0 points per game leads in the nation.
SENIOR SALUTE
Thursday's final regular season home game will serve as the final regular season home game for LCU's
Tess Bruffey,
Caitlyn Buttram and
Delaney Gaddis. Bruffey and Buttram have spent all four of their seasons as part of the Lady Chaps and Gaddis is in her second season. The two will be recognized during halftime of the LCU men's basketball game Thursday night.
BLOCKING IT OUT
Tess Bruffey, who ranked second nationally last season in blocks per game (3.9), co-leads the nation with 92 blocks on the season. Her 92 blocks (third highest single-season mark in program history) come at a rate of 4.0 per game (second nationally). The Lady Chaps, as a team, rank third in the nation with 146 blocks. In her career, Bruffey has a program and conference record 364 blocks, marking her as the NCAA Div. II's active career leader (third among all levels) and its the ninth highest rate all-time in NCAA Div. II history (8 away from moving into eighth). She also ranks on the NCAA Div. II's active career leader charts in points (1,574, 13th), field goals (575, 11th) and double-doubles (22, 24th).
WHAT'S ON THE LINE
LCU became the 12th team in NCAA Division II women's basketball history to win 46 consecutive home games with their win over Rogers State on Feb. 10 (it actively leads NCAA Div. II). If LCU extends the streak to 49 (currently at 46), they will become the 10th team to notch 49 straight home wins in NCAA Div. II history. The record is 87 consecutive home victories by Nebraska-Kearney, who completed the task from Jan. 31, 1995 - Nov. 24, 2001. LCU's last home loss came on Jan. 1, 2015 against Oklahoma City University. LCU has also won 48 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring Jan. 10, 2013 (against Oklahoma City). They are 42-0 all-time in Heartland Conference home games.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NU
• The Jets are 17-9 overall and 8-4 in conference play this season. They are winners of four of their last five games and have won two straight on the road, where they are 3-3 (only one road game since Jan. 14).
• The Heartland Conference Preseason Poll selected NU to finish fifth in the conference. They are currently 8-4 this season in conference play (third place) and went 9-7 in conference play last season.
• The Jets rank sixth nationally in free throws made (418), for an average of 16.1 points per game from the charity stripe. Bria DeGrate leads the conference with 101 free throws and a 82.1% shooting mark from the line.
• Hannah Alexander leads the Heartland Conference in field goals made, with a mark of 176, which is 14th nationally.
• Newman assistant coach Clarissa Krum is a former Lady Chaps assistant and served as the head coach of the LCU JV programs in 2012-13 (LCU had junior varsity programs while in the NAIA), while completing her master's degree at LCU.
THE SERIES AGAINST NU
The two programs have met 10 times and all as Heartland Conference foes. LCU leads the all-time series 8-2. LCU has won the prior three meetings, which began with a 60-55 LCU win in Lubbock (Feb. 16, 2017). The Lady Chaps won the prior meeting this season 73-66 in Wichita, Kan. (Jan. 25, 2018). LCU is 4-0 all-time in Lubbock against NU.
PRIOR MEETING VS. NU
Jan. 25, 2018 (Wichita, Kan.): LCU 73 - NU 66
Tess Bruffey produced a season high 27 points and eclipsed 1,500 points in her Lubbock Christian University career to help the No.2 Lady Chaparrals hold off a 10-0 fourth quarter run by Newman University, as LCU defeated the Jets 73-66 in Heartland Conference play inside Fugate Gymnasium.
The contest featured several runs in the game, as offense was in full display with each team shooting over 45-percent in the contest. In the opening quarter, LCU used a 10-0 run, with the score tied 5-5, to take a 15-5 lead.
Delaney Gaddis and
Bobbi Chitsey each had six points in the opening quarter and they helped LCU turn the run into a 17-2 run for a 22-7 lead. Freshman Haley Albers recorded 10 points in the first half and eight points came in the second quarter, which helped Newman respond from the 22-7 deficit by outscoring LCU 25-12 to cut LCU's lead to 34-32 with 2:18 remaining in the second quarter. LCU tallied the final nine points of the quarter, with Bruffey connecting on a three-pointer at the buzzer for a 43-32 halftime lead. The Lady Chaps received field goals from seven different players in the first half (six players had at least two field goals) and they shot 59% (13/22) inside the arc.
Hannah Alexander (8) and Albers (5) combined for 13 points in the third quarter for Newman, who cut LCU's lead to a six-point margin on two occasions. LCU had six field goals in the third quarter and the first five were by Bruffey. Leading 47-41 in the third quarter, LCU built the lead to 53-43 before Newman responded with a 9-2 run to cut LCU's lead to 56-52. Newman, who combined for two offensive rebounds in the first half, had five offensive rebounds in the final 1:34 of the third quarter. They held LCU to two points in the final 3:22 of the third quarter and trailed LCU 58-54 to start the fourth quarter.
Newman went the opening 4:44 of the fourth quarter without a field goal, while LCU went on a 9-0 run and led 67-54 for their largest lead in the second half. LCU attempted 23 free-throws in the game and 13 came in the fourth quarter. They needed the opportunities, as they were 3-of-8 (37.5%) from the field in the quarter. Once Bria DeGrate scored on a layup with 5:16 left in the game, everything started to favor the Jets. They hit their following five straight attempts, capped by a bucket by DeGrate to cut LCU's lead to 69-66 with 1:27 remaining. LCU (finished with 15 turnovers) committed six turnovers in the fourth quarter and four were in the final 3:25 of the game. Despite the turnover woes, LCU was able to get defensive stands needed to preserve the win. They held Newman scoreless over the final 1:27 of the game (missed their final three shot attempts). Two of the misses on Newman's final three shot attempts occurred with LCU leading 69-66.
The Jets were 45.2% (28-62) shooting from the field. It was the highest mark by a Lady Chaps opponent this season and the highest since Southwestern Oklahoma State shot 47% against the Lady Chaps on Dec. 10, 2016. Newman was 53.4% (23/43) shooting inside the arc. Alexander tallied 22 points for Newman and was joined in double figures by Albers (15 points) and DeGrate (13 points). Newman outrebounded LCU 35-32, marking the fourth time LCU has been outrebounded this season (LCU is 4-0 when being outrebounded). The Jets did produce 10 offensive boards, leading to a 12-4 scoring advantage in second chance points.
LCU thrived off nine steals leading to a 23-8 advantage in points off turnovers for LCU. Gaddis produced three of the steals. LCU finished the game 50% from the field (26/52). They had a 16-5 scoring advantage in points from the free-throw line.
Bobbi Chitsey (12 points) joined Bruffey in double figures for LCU, who shot 50% (26/52) from the field.
