TULSA, Okla. (March 1, 2018) – Top-seeded No.2 Lubbock Christian University used a program record 33-point third quarter and a combined 26 points from sisters Maddi and Bobbi Chitsey, to help the Lady Chaparrals open the 2018 Heartland Conference Tournament with a 78-42 win over No.8-seed Texas A&M International Thursday night inside UMAC.
 
The 33-point third quarter was the highest scoring quarter for the Lady Chaps, dating back to the origination of the four-quarter format in 2015-16. Leading 27-19 to start the second half, LCU opened the half on a 9-0 run. TAMIU went the opening 4:33 of the quarter without a point and the opening 5:34 of the half without a field goal. They shot 22.2% (2-of-9) from the field in the quarter. Meanwhile, LCU was 10-of-11 from the field (90.9%) and 11-of-13 (84.6%) from the free-throw line in the quarter. Bobbi Chitsey scored 10 of her 12 points during the third quarter. LCU outscored TAMIU 33-8 in the quarter, with scoring advantages 16-4 in paint scoring and 13-2 in points off turnovers.
 
LCU's 33 points, in one quarter, was more than LCU had scored in the entire slow paced first half. The Lady Chaps, entering the game .234 from long range all-time in their Heartland Conference Tournament play (all in Tulsa), opened the game 0-of-8 from three-point range. They fortunately found success inside, going 5-of-9 (55.6%) inside the arc in the first quarter and 7-of-11 (63.6%) in the second quarter (12-of-20, 60% in the half). LCU led 12-7 after the opening quarter and Maddi Chitsey piled up eight points in the second quarter to help build LCU's lead to 27-14, but the Dustdevils stormed back and closed the half on a 5-0 run to cut LCU's lead to 27-19 heading into the break.
 
Following the 33-point scoring surge in the third quarter, LCU relied on their bench entering the fourth quarter leading 60-27. Allie Schulte produced a career high with 10 points and she produced five points in the fourth quarter, helping LCU go on an 11-1 run in the game's final minutes.
 
The Lady Chaps produced a shooting mark of 73.9% (17/23) in the second half. They finished the game 29-of-51 (56.9%). Maddi Chitsey led a foursome of Lady Chaps with 14 points. Bobbi Chitsey finished with 12 points, Tess Bruffey contributed 11 points and Schulte's 10 points helped join Maddi in double figures. Olivia Robertson, who co-led LCU in rebounding Saturday, led LCU Thursday in rebounding. She had not led the team (in a game) in rebounding this season prior to Saturday.
 
TAMIU has their season end with a 3-26 overall record. Tantashea Giger led the Dustdevils Thursday with 15 points. They were 14-of-47 (29.8%) from the field and 3-of-15 (20%) from three-point range.
 
LCU's win over TAMIU was their seventh straight win and they lead the all-time series 12-1.
 
TURNING POINT
The Lady Chaps were successful on their first nine field goal attempts of the second half. Even their one miss of the quarter ended up resulting in points, as Kailin Davis' miss was rebounded by Maddi Chitsey with a punching put-back that went in just prior to the buzzer at quarter's close. LCU outscored TAMIU 33-8 in the third quarter.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU's shooting mark of 56.9% (29/51) from the field was their best ever single game shooting mark at the Heartland Conference Tournament. Inside the arc, LCU was 25-of-37 for a 67.6% shooting mark.  Kailin Davis was 2-of-3 from long range, while the rest of her teammates were a combined 2-of-9.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU has to sit and wait to find out their next opponent, as they will play the winning team of the matchup featuring Newman and Oklahoma Christian. LCU's quarterfinal tilt is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Hays Field.