LUBBOCK, Texas (December 14, 2019) – Maddi Chitsey posted 16 points and eight rebounds, and No.1 Lubbock Christian University opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to distinguish Tarleton State's comeback hopes, as LCU defeated the Texans 58-49 in Lone Star Conference play Saturday evening inside Rip Griffin Center. The win, which placed LCU with a 9-0 overall record and a 3-0 conference mark, extended their home-win streak to 69 games and to 57 consecutive conference home games.
 
LCU nearly had a 36-24 third-quarter lead slip away after TSU shot 53.3% (8/15) in the third quarter to cut LCU's lead to 45-42 at the quarter's conclusion. Kylie Collins connected on a pair of three-pointers in the frame, with her second three-pointer tallied with less than a minute left in the frame to answer a three-pointer hit by LCU's Channing Cunyus.
 
Juliana Robertson was a big part of LCU never relinquishing the lead in the fourth quarter. She connected on her fifth career three-pointer (65^th career game) to fuel the 7-0 run to start the quarter. LCU outscored TSU 13-7 in the quarter and Robertson led the Lady Chaps in the quarter with five points and a pair of blocked shots. Robertson finished the game with seven points and game-high +21 plus/minus rating.
 
Tarleton's offensive numbers in the game were back-and-forth. They were 55.6% (15/27) shooting from the field in the middle quarters, but in the first and final quarter the Texans shot a combined 17.2% (5/29).
 
LCU shot at least 54.5% from the field in three of the quarters, but in the third quarter, LCU was 3-of-12 (25%) from the field and had a sequence of eight consecutive missed shots. The string of missed shots allowed TSU to climb back into the game.
 
The Lady Chaps had trouble getting Chitsey into the mix in the second half. After 14 points in the first half, Chitsey was held to two points in the second half. Chitsey was one of two Lady Chaps to finish in double figures offensively, as Allie Schulte finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Schulte finished with a +20 plus/minus. The next closest player in plus/minus behind Robertson and Schulte was Ashton Duncan, who was +4.
 
Lubbock Christian was 22-of-46 (47.8%) from the field in the game, which included a 5-of-6 shooting mark from long range in the first half. LCU assisted on 19 of their 22 field goals, with eight different Lady Chaps contributing with at least one assist (Caitlyn Cunyus and Madelyn Turner co-led LCU with four assists). LCU was also perfect (7-of-7) from the free-throw line, which marks the second time they were perfect from the line in a game this season (best since 11-of-11 shooting on Jan. 17 against Rogers State).
 
Tarleton was led by Mackenzie Hailey in the loss. Hailey had 14 points and led all players with nine rebounds. They finished the game 35.7% (20/56) from the field. TSU moved to 5-3 overall and they dropped to 0-3 in LSC play.
 
Lubbock Christian never trailed in the game, marking their first game this season they led throughout. They have won 20 consecutive games dating back to last season.
 
The win marked LCU's fifth win over the previous six meetings and LCU head coach Steve Gomez improved to 6-5 all-time against TSU. Overall in the series, the meeting was the 28^th all-time meeting and LCU's win has them 7-21 all-time against TSU (4-7 in Lubbock). Tarleton State will move to NCAA Division I status next season as members of the WAC.
 
TURNING POINT
Each half had a staple in regards to the turning point of the game. With less than a minute remaining in the first half and LCU leading 29-24, LCU substituted Chitsey back into the game. She quickly registered an old fashioned three-point play and helped LCU close out the half on a 5-0 run for a 34-24 halftime lead. In the fourth quarter, Robertson's three-point bucket to support the 7-0 run helped take the winds out of the sails of the Texas. Her shot was also part of stretch in which LCU went 5-of-7 from the field.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU was 7-of-16 from the free-throw line, with all seven three-pointers made from seven different individuals. Along with Robertson hitting from long range, as one of the seven, LCU received a rare three-pointer from Emma Middleton, who connected for her third career three-pointer (Middleton's 58^th career game).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps head to Lawton, Okla. Thursday to face Cameron with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off inside Aggie Gym. The LSC contest opens a two-game road swing for LCU.