LAREDO, Texas (February 3, 2018) – Saturday afternoon provided a speed bump for Lubbock Christian University's schedule, as the Chaparrals fell on the road to Texas A&M International. The Dustdevils outlasted LCU in a low scoring affair finalized at 49-48. Isaac Asrat (15 points) and Marcos Schuster (12 points) were the lone Lubbock Christian players to register double-figures.
 
Texas A&M International struck first, but both teams combined for 13 points over the first eight minutes of the contest (LCU opened the game 1-of-8 from the field for a second consecutive game). Schuster narrowed TAMIU's lead to a 10-9 margin with a quick cut to the basket and a layup. Kentton Williams stepped up next with a lay-in of his own that also drew a foul from the Dustdevil defense. Williams converted the free throw, putting the Chaparrals up for the first time at 12-10. The lead was short-lived, as Kamari Robinson tucked away a layup for Texas A&M International a minute later to put the Dustdevils up 14-12. The Chaps were outscored 10-4 over the next six minutes, allowing TAMIU to take a nine-point lead at 27-18. Asrat closed out the half for Lubbock Christian with back-to-back three-pointers, helping the Chaps to a 28-27 deficit at the break.
 
Despite heading into the locker room trailing, LCU managed to shoot efficiently throughout the opening period, nabbing a 52.4% field goal average. Williams and Asrat stood out front for the Chaps with seven points each in the half. Williams also pulled down four of Lubbock Christian's 10 rebounds, but the Dustdevils were still able to top the Chaparrals on the glass by a 13-10 margin. LCU's defense held TAMIU to 11 field goals on 23 attempts, while also producing six steals.
 
Lubbock Christian opened up the second period with three straight baskets to step back on top 32-27. TAMIU attempted to cut back into the Chaps lead and even managed to tie the ballgame at 34-34 on a jumper within the paint from Xabier Gomez. LCU responded with six unanswered points to recover their lead. Damon Leach then connected on a free throw tying the game for the fourth and final time at 40-40 with 9:30 to play. Asrat swooped in and put Lubbock Christian back up by four-points with consecutive baskets. Schuster tucked away a free throw capping a three-point play to provide the Chaparrals a four-point cushion with 2:53 remaining. Texas A&M International mounted a late comeback and took their final lead after a triple from Gomez with 2:05 on the clock. After tossing up two attempts in a last-ditch effort to finish on top, the Chaparrals ultimately fell to TAMIU by a final score of 49-48.
 
Scoring column aside, Lubbock Christian finished the day with a 51.3% outing from the field. Of their 22 rebounds, 20 came on the defensive side of the ball. Schuster was one assist shy of tying a career high after dealing out seven of LCU's 11 dimes for the day. TAMIU made the most of LCU's errors scoring 22 points off of 18 Chaparral turnovers.
 
LCU falls to a 10-12 record this season and a 6-5 record in conference play. Over the course of their latest four-game road trip, the Chaparrals went 2-2 with both of their wins coming in Thursday night matches.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Chaparral's loss to the Dustdevils was an extremely low scoring affair that left both squads combining for a total of 97 total points. The last time LCU played a game, where the final score of the combined teams failed to break the triple-digit mark, was a 44-42 loss to Southwest Texas State (Nov. 27, 1982).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Up next, LCU will return to Rip Griffin Center for a showdown against a first place Dallas Baptist squad. Tipoff against the Patriots is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. Thursday night's tilt will also serve as the lone game of the evening, as the Lady Chaparrals will enjoy a night off.