AUSTIN, Texas (February 24, 2018) – For the third time since competing in the Heartland Conference, the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals completed their conference schedule with an unblemished record. Saturday at Recreation & Convocation Center, No.2 Lubbock Christian University received a season-high 29 points from Tess Bruffey and defeated St. Edward's University 65-52 to complete a 14-0 conference schedule.
 
The game was never in danger for Lubbock Christian, but a spirited Hilltoppers squad celebrating "Senior Day" played the Lady Chaps tight throughout the contest.  LCU opened the game with a 4-0 run and converted successfully on their first three field goal attempts, but then followed with five straight misses. Isabel Hernandez had nine points for SEU in the first quarter and helped the Hilltoppers to a 14-11 lead with 1:19 left in the opening quarter.  LCU, who has trailed once at the end of the first quarter this season, responded with a three-pointer from Bruffey and a layup from Allie Schulte to lead 16-14 at the end of the quarter.
 
Bruffey, who led LCU with eight points in the first quarter, opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to cap an 8-0 run and provide LCU a 19-14 lead.  The LCU senior converted an and-one three-point play later in the quarter to give LCU a 22-16 lead, but Lexi Cunningham sparked a 5-0 SEU run with a three-pointer and LCU's lead was cut to 22-21. LCU never let go of the lead and Bruffey finished with 14 points in the half to give LCU a 34-28 lead.
 
Bruffey had LCU's first eight points of the third quarter and LCU kept their distance. The Hilltoppers went the final 2:56 of the third quarter without a field goal and LCU extended the lead to 52-39 to close the quarter. The span without a field goal for SEU lasted 5:04 and LCU built the lead to 54-39 with a field goal by Bobbi Chitsey, who led LCU in the fourth quarter with seven points.  The Hilltoppers hung around but due inpart to 13 offensive rebounds in the second half leading to nine more field goal attempts by SEU in the fourth quarter (12 more for the half). LCU was 6-of-11 (54.5%) from the field in the fourth quarter and SEU was 5-of-20 (25%).
 
SEU had 17 offensive boards in the game and outrebounded LCU 37-31 in the game. The offensive boards led to SEU outscoring LCU 12-6 in second chance scoring. They received 15 points from Hernandez and 12 points from Cunningham.  LCU was strong offensively in the paint, where they outscored SEU 40-20. The Lady Chaps were 23-of-38 (60.5%) inside the arc and shot 51.9% (27/52) overall from the field. Bruffey was 11-of-18 from the field in her 29-point performance. LCU also received 10 points from Bobbi Chitsey.
 
The win placed LCU with a 25-1 record to end the regular season and 14-0 in Heartland Conference play. They went 20-0 in 2013-14 and 18-0 in 2015-16.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's 8-1 run during SEU's 5:04 stretch leaking into the fourth quarter helped LCU hold off the Hilltoppers.  LCU was 3-of-4 from the field, while SEU missed six consecutive shots during the sequence. Bruffey connected on a three pointer to start the run, and Chitsey followed with an old fashioned three-point play.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
During last season's regular season finale at Rip Griffin Center, LCU hosted St. Edward's and Tess Bruffey also exploded offensively in that contest, scoring 30 points. Saturday's performance of a season high 29 points marked her 86^th game of her LCU career with at least 10 points and her 18^th with at least 20 points.