LAREDO, Texas (January 10, 2019) – Lubbock Christian University has been plagued by turnovers on the road this season, but things were different in their Heartland Conference opener Thursday night inside Kinesiology and Convocation Building. The Lady Chaps limited themselves to seven turnovers and produced 17 steals en route to an 89-39 victory over Texas A&M International.
 
The 17 steals were the most by the Lady Chaps since producing 18 steals Dec. 31, 2015 against Oklahoma Panhandle State and the most on the road since 17 swipes on Jan. 5, 2013 at St. Gregory's. Matching the feat LCU achieved on Dec. 31, 2015, the Lady Chaps had at least one steal from 10 different players. Allie Schulte matched a career high with five steals and both games have come against TAMIU. LCU's 17 steals tied for the second-highest total by the Lady Chaps under head coach Steve Gomez, who is in his 16^th season coaching the Lady Chaps. The seven turnovers committed by LCU were the fewest since Feb. 1, 2018 at St. Mary's.
 
LCU, who entered the game being outscored in points-off-turnovers by an average of 25.2-12.2 in road games, had a 21-7 advantage in turnovers leading to them to outscore TAMIU 26-10 in points-off-turnovers.
 
Caitlyn Cunyus converted on a jumper and added assists on a pair of three-point field goals in the opening three minutes of the game to help LCU jump out to an 11-2 lead. LCU opened the game 5-of-9 from three-point range, with Ashton Duncan nailing a pair of three-pointers. Three of LCU's three-pointers in the first quarter followed offensive rebounds, as LCU had a 9-0 scoring advantage in the first quarter in second-chance-scoring. LCU had six steals in the opening quarter and it led to a 12-4 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers to take a 22-8 lead.
 
The Lady Chaps, who led 45-12 at the half behind a 16-4 scoring advantage in the paint during the second quarter, held the Dustdevils scoreless for the final 6:56 of the first half. Their defense held TAMIU to 16.7% (2-of-12) shooting in the second quarter and eventually held them scoreless for a span of 7:42 (a span of 8:58 without a field goal).
 
LCU opened the second half on a 10-3 run to build their lead to 40 points (55-15). The Lady Chaps were 9-of-11 (81.8%) inside the arc in the third quarter and Juliana Robertson supplied the Lady Chaps offense with seven points in the quarter to extend LCU's lead to 67-31 at the close of the quarter. Laynee Burr led LCU in the fourth quarter with eight points and LCU's defense held TAMIU to three field goals, outscoring them 22-8 in the quarter.
 
All 13 Lady Chaps figured into the scoring, with four players producing double figures in points. Duncan led LCU with a career-high 12 points, marking the first time the sophomore has led LCU in scoring. Olivia Robertson and Bobbi Chitsey each had 11 points and Juliana Robertson contributed 10 points, marking the second time this season the Robertson sisters have each hit double figures in points. The Lady Chaps had 54 points off the bench, outscoring TAMIU 54-4 in bench scoring. The dominating numbers also included LCU outscoring TAMIU 44-22 in paint scoring and 18-7 in second chance scoring off the assistance of 14 offensive rebounds (38-23 overall advantage in rebounds).
 
TAMIU, LCU's second sub-.500 opponent faced in the past 10 games, remained winless on the season (0-13) and they fell for a 15^th straight time (13^th straight home loss). Ciera Walker (12 points) and Christine Ortega (11 points) led TAMIU in the loss. They were held to 28% (14/50) from the field and 18.2% (2/11) from long range.
 
LCU held TAMIU to 39 points matching a season best for fewest points allowed (allowed 39 points on Nov. 17 against Texas Permian Basin). Their offensive output (89 points) was a season high (highest since scoring 95 against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Dec. 7, 2017) and the 50-point was their highest win margin since a 53-point win (109-56) on Feb. 20, 2016 at Texas-Permian Basin.
 
With this season serving as the final season of the Heartland Conference, LCU closed their record to 5-1 in Heartland Conference openers. The Lady Chaps improved to 14-2 all-time in conference openers under head coach Gomez, and they have won 13 of their last 14 consecutive conference openers. LCU starts the season 1-0 in conference play and they are 11-4 overall, extending their win streak to four straight games.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU went on an 18-0 run in the second quarter, which was during the Dustdevils 7:42 scoreless span. It was part of an eventual 28-3 run for the Lady Chaps.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
All 13 Lady Chaps were able to receive playing time, with Caitlyn Cunyus serving as the only player to play more than 20 minutes, playing 20:36. All 13 players played at least 10 minutes and every player had at least a +10 in plus/minus. Cunyus led the way with a +26, with Madelyn Turner, Olivia Robertson and Maddi Chitsey each achieving a +25.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps go from facing a program with the worst win percentage to facing No.21/22 St. Mary's, who has the best win percentage (.846) among Heartland Conference squads (11-2 overall record). Both LCU and StMU are 1-0 in conference, as StMU topped St. Edward's 59-57 with a layup by Alexia Torres at the buzzer to avoid the upset. LCU and St. Mary are scheduled to tip-off Saturday at 1 p.m.