LUBBOCK, Texas (January 17, 2018) – Lubbock Christian University, led by a 13-point performance from Allie Schulte, opened their Heartland Conference home schedule with four players in double figures and matched their second-best shooting performance of the season (53.1% from the field) to defeat Rogers State University 71-50 Thursday night inside Rip Griffin Center. With the win, LCU became the sixth program in NCAA Division II history to reach 58 straight home wins, and they are 44-0 all-time in Heartland Conference home games.
 
The Lady Chaps eclipsed 50% shooting from the field for a fourth time this season, and the shooting was consistent in the contest. LCU shot at least 50% in each of the four quarters, shooting a high of 58.3% (7-of-12) in the second quarter.
 
Rogers State played the game tight prior to the first media timeout.  The Hillcats answered a 3-0 Lady Chaps start with a 6-0 run and responded from a 5-0 Lady Chaps run with a 4-0 stretch to go up 10-8. RSU was unable to match LCU's next response, which was an 11-0 run to lead 19-10.
 
The 11-0 LCU run carried into the second quarter, where LCU was 6-of-8 (75%) inside the arc. Juliana Robertson kicked off her career-high 12-point performance in the in the second quarter with an and-one three-point play to jumpstart a 7-0 Lady Chaps run to go up 26-14 with 4:35 left in the first half. RSU's Desiree Nelson matched a season-high with five three-pointers in the game, and her first ignited a 7-0 Hillcats run to cut LCU's lead to 26-21 with three minutes left in the half. LCU ended the run and countered with a 10-2 run to close the half with LCU leading 36-23. Caitlyn Cunyus was +12 (in plus/minus) in the second quarter and led LCU with seven points in the quarter. Cunyus and Schulte each had 10 points at the break and were a combined 7-of-8 from the field in the first half.
 
RSU ended their dry spell at 3:14 with a three-pointer from Nelson, but LCU responded from the three-pointer with an 18-3 run for a 54-30 lead. Bobbi Chitsey led LCU in the quarter with seven points and LCU took a 54-33 lead into the fourth quarter. Lauren Schuldt nailed a three-pointer and Nelson followed with three straight three-pointers to help the Hillcats cut LCU's lead to 57-42 three minutes into the fourth quarter. The rally would be as close as RSU would get, as LCU answered with a 9-2 run to push the game out of reach.
 
LCU dominated the boards, out-rebounding RSU 34-14. The 20-rebound advantage is a season high and the highest rebound margin since out-rebounding Tarleton State (44-24) on Mar. 9, 2018. The 14 rebounds allowed is the fewest since holding Lyon College to 14 rebounds on Dec. 29, 2012.
 
RSU (8-8, 1-2) was led by Nelson, who converted on her first five three-point field goal attempts and finished 5-of-6 from long range with 15 points. Schuldt finished with 11 points. The Hillcats shot 38.5% from the field and struggled from the free-throw line, going 3-of-9 (33.3%). The 33% shooting mark from the line was the worst by a Lady Chaps opponent since Texas A&M International went 33% (3-of-9) on Dec. 17, 2015.
 
The Lady Chaps had no problems from the free-throw line, going a perfect 11-of-11 (%100) from the line. The mark was a season high and was their best performance from the line since a 22-of-22 performance from the charity stripe on Feb. 15, 2018 against Newman.
 
Schulte was 5-of-6 from the field in her 13-point outing. Bobbi Chitsey, Caitlyn Cunyus and Juliana Robertson each contributed 12 points. The four players in double figures combined to go 73.9% (17/23) from the field. LCU was 53.1% (26/49) from the field, and the numbers matched their performance on Nov. 23 against Kutztown.
 
LCU won their sixth straight overall game and their 21^st straight conference game. They improved to 13-4 overall and 2-0 in Heartland Conference play, as they claimed their 12^th straight victory in the all-time series against RSU.
 
Thursday marked LCU's first doubleheader of the season paired with the men's program. The games were part of the NCAA Division II Hoops Showcase and were aired on ESPN3.
 
TURNING POINT
Each team had their leading scorer suffer two quick fouls in the first quarter, but the timing proved to benefit LCU. Lauren Schuldt had six of RSU's first 10 points when she was subbed out after her second foul. LCU responded with a 11-0 run. The Hillcats opened the game making five of their first seven shot attempts, but then missed 11 straight field goal attempts. The RSU shooting woes took place while LCU was on an 11-0 run. LCU did not miss more than three consecutive shot attempts in the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Madelyn Turner was 2-of-2 from long range in the game, placing her 7-of-7 on the season from three-point range inside Rip Griffin Center this season.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps remain home Saturday to host Arkansas – Fort Smith, with tip-off scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.