LUBBOCK, Texas (November 16, 2019) - No.1 / 2 Lubbock Christian University used a 24-9 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter to overcome a 52-47 deficit and defeat No. 20 Southwestern Oklahoma State 71-61 in the final game of the TAJ Hospitality Classic inside Rip Griffin Center Saturday evening. The meeting matched the two programs who appeared in the NCAA Division II national championship game last season in Columbus, Ohio, which LCU won in double-overtime for their second national championship in program history.

Double overtime was needed to decide the winner in March and the thoughts of overtime Saturday were entering people's mindset after eight lead changes and neither team producing more than a six-point lead through the first seven lead changes.
 
Neither team was able to get into a solid shooting rhythm, but there was a brief glimpse of a heavyweight bout with tiring haymakers thrown and it came in the third quarter. With 6:24 left in the third quarter, Caitlyn Cunyus connected on a three-pointer to give LCU a 40-35 lead and their largest lead of the game. SWOSU responded by ending a 0-for-7 shooting sequence by knocking down five consecutive field goal attempts. The Bulldogs made four straight three-point field goals (two by Makyra Tramble and two by Taber Beer) and the 17-6 scoring advantage over a four-minute stretch turned the Lady Chaps lead into a 52-46 SWOSU advantage.
 
The scoring surge for SWOSU led to a 52-47 Bulldogs lead heading into the fourth quarter. The hot shooting did not follow the Bulldogs into the fourth quarter though, as they missed five consecutive shots (all three-point attempts) made one field goal over a span of 14 shot attempts. Meanwhile, LCU, following a three-point miss to open the quarter, made five of their next six shot attempts and it led to a 12-3 LCU run for a 59-55 LCU lead four minutes into the fourth quarter. Allie Schulte, who had not had scored since a first-quarter field goal, was 3-of-5 from the field in the fourth quarter and scored seven points. Her contributions, along with a 14-6 rebound margin, a 12-4 scoring edge in the paint and a 10-of-14 performance from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter contributed to LCU outscoring SWOSU 24-9 in the quarter. SWOSU, who ended the first half making two of their final 10 field goal attempts, ended the game making one of their final 12 field goal attempts in the game. They were 2-of-17 in the fourth quarter, shooting 11.8% in the frame.
 
Outside of personnel and location, if there was a big difference in the play of the game from last season's championship game meeting, it was the "whistles." In the championship game, which involved an additional 10 minutes of play (two overtimes), the two teams combined for 39 free-throw attempts and 32 fouls were called. Saturday, the two teams were whistled for 47 fouls and it led to 54 free-throw attempts.  LCU out-scored SWOSU 22-18 from the line.
 
There were seven lead changes in the first half. SWOSU, thriving off an 8-0 run, had an 18-17 lead after the opening quarter. Maddie Sperle led SWOSU with 14 points in the half. LCU was 5-of-14 (35.7%) from the field in each of the first two quarters and received 10 points from Maddi Chitsey to lead to a 33-33 halftime score.
 
LCU's 53.8% shooting in the fourth quarter led them to a 40.7% shooting mark for the game (22/54). Chitsey led all scorers with 20 points and was a +18 in plus/minus. LCU also received 12 points from Ashton Duncan (also added a +14 plus/minus) and 11 points from Laynee Burr. Juliana Robertson (12) and Cunyus (nine) each posted career-high rebound marks for LCU. Robertson also posted a career-high four blocks.
 
SWOSU, falling to 3-1 on the season, received 19 points from Sperle. Freshman Tramble was solid for the Bulldogs, posting 11 points, six assists and four steals. Beer finished the game with four three-pointers and 12 points. The Bulldogs were 28.8% (17/59) from the field. The two teams were plagued by a combined 35 turnovers (19 by LCU), which led to a 22-10 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers for SWOSU.
 
The Lady Chaps win marked their 67^th consecutive home victory, which actively leads NCAA Division II women's basketball. They improved to 4-0 on the season and the win was their 15^th consecutive win dating back to last season.
 
TURNING POINT
Taber Beer of SWOSU was plagued by foul trouble in the game. Beer, who led the team with a +7 plus/minus and was one of two Bulldogs in the positive in the stat-line, had nailed back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter during their sequence of five-straight made field goals before fouling out. She fouled out 24 seconds into the fourth quarter, as LCU out-scored SWOSU 24-9 after her departure. She was 4-of-8 from three-point range, while the rest of the team was a combined 5-of-28 (17.9%). SWOSU missed their final 10 three-point attempts.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
SWOSU fired up 36 three-point attempts in the game, shooting 25% (9/36) from long range. Since LCU joined NCAA Division II, the top three games in opponent three-point field goal attempts have all been held by SWOSU, as they attempted 38 in March's championship game and 37 on Dec. 10, 2016 against LCU.   
 
WHAT'S NEXT
It's conference time!!!! LCU opens Line Star Conference play Saturday at 2 p.m. facing Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas.