LUBBOCK, Texas (February 15, 2018) – Senior night ended with a bang while also serving as a shake-up in Heartland Conference standing for Lubbock Christian University who defeated Newman 84-67 inside Rip Griffin Center Thursday evening. Junior Brennen Fowler scooped up his eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Fowler's performance led four Chaps in double-scoring figures.
 
Following four lead changes within the opening six minutes of play, Lubbock Christian was able to right the ship and jump to a 17-11 lead over Newman. LCU was able to keep the Jets at bay for the over another five-minute stretch while extending their advantage to a nine-point margin after Kentton Williams split a pair of free throws with 2:19 remaining in the half. Fowler wrapped up the opening period with a layup giving the Chaparrals a 37-27 lead at halftime. 
 
Fowler's 14 first-half points came on 6-of-12 shooting to lead the Lubbock Christian squad at the break. LCU was able to pick their spots and march to a 46.4% field goal shooting average in the half. While neither squad was able to get their rhythm from three-point range, the Chaps were able to impose their defense and hold the Jets to a 34.5% (10-of-29) outing from the field throughout the opening 20 minutes. Lubbock Christian's ability to capitalize on Newman's nine turnovers set the Chaps ahead in the half as they outscored the Jets 11-0 in points off of turnovers.
 
LCU never relinquished their lead after returning to the court from the intermission. Jay Workman provided some peace-of-mind with a layup that gave the Chaps a 15-point cushion at 49-34 at the 15:43 mark. Newman then put together 10 unanswered points to pull within five. Fowler retaliated with a three-point jumper allowing the Chaparrals to explode on a 19-2 scoring run. Marcos Schuster stamped the game with his final bucket of the evening with 2:43 remaining pushing the Lubbock Christian squad to their largest lead of the night, 78-56. Although the Jets were able to score seven of the game's final 10 points, LCU held on and rolled to an 84-67 victory.
 
Williams led the charge in the final period with nine points for LCU on a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and a trio of free throws. The Chaparrals were able to hold the Jets to another 10 made baskets in the half but committed 17 half fouls. Newman was able to convert 16 of their 22 free throw attempts in the second period. Lubbock Christian upstaged their opening half antics with an even more prolific second half on the offensive end capturing a 60% shooting performance (15-for-25).
 
Schuster (17 points), Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath (13 points) and Williams (10 points) all joined Fowler as the only Chaparral players scoring in double-figures. After nine free throws in the opening period, LCU finished the game shooting 22-for-29 (75.9%) from the charity stripe. Lubbock Christian's bench provided 23 points while the Chap squad converted 38 points from within the painted area.
 
Lubbock Christian is now riding a three-game win streak moving them to 13-12 on the season and 9-5 in Heartland Conference matches.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Lubbock Christian finished the evening shooting 52.8% (28-of-53) from the floor. Their shooting performance over the Jets marks their 11^th contest this season shooting 50% or higher.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Up next, the Chaps will have limited turnaround time as they will hit the road for a conference scuffle against Oklahoma Christian University. Tip off against the Eagles is set for 3 p.m. in Oklahoma City.