LUBBOCK, Texas (March 9, 2018) –
Tess Bruffey celebrated her 23
rd birthday with a double-double (17 points and 13 rebounds) and combined for 35 points with
Maddi Chitsey (18 points) to help No.2 and top-seeded Lubbock Christian University advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball South Central Region Tournament with a 78-46
The TexAnns were without All-Lone Star Conference selection and leading scorer Mackenzie Hailey, who suffered an injury at the LSC Tournament. LCU took advantage of her absence early with 16 points in the first quarter from
Maddi Chitsey. The Lady Chaps opened the quarter on a 12-0 run. Chitsey hit her first five field goal attempts and capped the quarter with a three-pointer before the horn for a 26-7 lead at the end of the quarter. LCU had an 8-0 scoring advantage in paint scoring and 15-4 rebound advantage led to a 6-0 scoring advantage in second-chance scoring.
The Lady Chaps built the lead to 40-15 four minutes into the second quarter, but then hit a wall. LCU went the final 5:52 of the quarter without a point, as TSU closed the half on an 8-0 run to cut LCU's lead to 40-23 at the half. It was an eventual span of 8:04 without a point for LCU on 0-of-10 shooting. The dry spell ended on a layup from Chitsey 2:12 into the third quarter. Chitsey's layup also ended a span of 5:20 in which the score was locked at 40-23.
LCU avoided any further dry spell, making their next four shots and 15 of their final 21 shots (71.4%). The Lady Chaps, with four players in double figures in second half scoring, shot 60% (15/25) in the second half. TSU closed the game with one field goal in their final 13 attempts.
Bruffey's double-double was her 24
th career double-double and first since Feb. 17 at Oklahoma Christian. Chitsey led LCU in points with 18 and also added seven rebounds and two blocks. LCU had eight blocks in the game, with four by
Tess Bruffey to place her with 117 and placing her with a new Lubbock Christian University and Heartland Conference single-game record.
The Lady Chaps shot 53.6% from the field (30/56) and held TSU to a 30.5% (18/59) shooting mark. LCU connected on 11 three-pointers (11/23, 47.8%), with three from
Caitlyn Cunyus, who finished with 13 points. The Lady Chaps out-rebounded TSU 44-24.
TSU had their season end at 20-12. They were led by a 14-point effort from McKinley Bostad. LCU improved to 29-1 and extended their home win streak to 48 games. A 49
th straight win would place LCU's win streak into the top-10 all-time in NCAA Division II history.
TURNING POINT
LCU exploded in the first half with a 26-7 lead and had a 22-point lead in the second quarter, but the turning point may be what TSU did not do once LCU went through a 0-of-10 shooting lull. LCU made 15 of their first 24 shot attempts but then went scoreless over an eight-minute stretch. TSU had an 8-0 run, but then hit a rough patch scoring as well. The TexAnns missed nine straight attempts over a span of 5:47 late in the second quarter, which carried over into the third quarter.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU produced a season best +20 in rebounding margin with a 44-24 advantage. It was LCU's best mark since a +20 on Nov. 21, 2016 at home against Wayland Baptist.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU advances to the semifinals Saturday and will face Angelo State in a 7:30 p.m. tip inside Rip Griffin Center. The winner advances to the region championship game Monday night.
