LUBBOCK, Texas (December 5, 2019) –
Allie Schulte notched a career-high 21 points on the offensive end and
Maddi Chitsey posted a career-high six blocks on the defensive end, as Lubbock Christian University improved to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in Lone Star Conference play with an 80-61 victory over Texas Woman's. The win occurred on a night the Lady Chaparrals improved their national active-leading home win streak to 68 games and they received their championship rings from their 2019 NCAA Division II women's basketball national title.
In a battle of two of the top three defensive-minded teams in the Lone Star Conference, it was offense leading the pace in the opening half of play. TWU made four of their opening five shot attempts and used a 5-0 run to take a 7-2 lead three minutes into the contest. The Pioneers maintained the lead until LCU closed the quarter's final minute on an 8-0 run for an 18-14 LCU lead. Chitsey started the charge connecting on a three-pointer, and it was one of three three-pointers hit by LCU in the eventual 11-0 run.
Ashton Duncan and
Allie Schulte hit the other three-pointers during the run and it helped jumpstart an LCU offense that was 10-of-16 from the field (62.5%) in the second quarter (7-of-10 inside the arc). Schulte had 12 points in the opening half and helped LCU take a 43-32 lead into the half. The Lady Chaps were 60% (18/30) from the field in the half, going 13-of-18 (72.2%) inside the arc.
The Pioneers had the hot hand offensively in the third quarter. Ma'K'La Woods, who had eight points in the third quarter, opened the second half with a pair of field goals and the Pioneers made their first four field goal attempts. They shot 56.3% (9-of-16) in the quarter (all attempts were inside the arc) and used a 6-0 and 5-0 run to turn a 54-40 LCU lead into a 59-53 advantage with 53 seconds left in the third quarter.
Each team had one field goal nearly five minutes into the fourth quarter, as TWU's hot shooting did not carry into the fourth quarter. The Pioneers were 1-of-12 from the field over the final 7:19 of the game. LCU took advantage of the TWU's lack of offense in the quarter, hitting five field goals over a seven-shot stretch and going on a 7-0 run to build the lead to 76-59 with 2:17 remaining. Schulte finished with seven points in the fourth quarter to help preserve the victory.
LCU shot 49.1% from the field in the game (28/57). Along with Schulte's 21 points, LCU also received 14 points from Chitsey and 11 points from Duncan, who was 3-of-6 from long range. LCU, entering the game shooting 82% from the free-throw line, went 15-of-18 from the line (83.3%).
Chitsey posted a career-high six blocks and helped lead LCU to a season-high nine blocks in the contest. The block totals were the highest by the Lady Chaps since they had 10 at Oklahoma Christian on Jan. 26, 2019, and the highest total at home since they blocked nine Cameron shots on Dec. 16, 2017.
TWU, who was sitting at 45.5% (20/44) shooting from the field through three quarters, finished the night 37.9% (22/58) from the field, which is the highest mark the Lady Chaps have allowed this season. The Pioneers, just 2-of-8 (25%) from long range, were led in scoring by Ma'K'La Woods, who finished with 16 points. Brielle Woods contributed 15 points and London Archer posted 10 points. TWU out-rebounded LCU 30-24, which played a role in the Pioneers producing a 20-10 scoring advantage in second-chance points.
The victory marked LCU's fourth consecutive win in the all-time series, which LCU leads 5-1. The contest was LCU's LSC home opener and they improved to 2-0 in conference and 3-0 in home games. TWU fell to 3-3 overall and they are 1-1 in LSC play.
TURNING POINT
LCU's scoring pace in the second quarter stole the control away from TWU. After trailing for 8:25 of the opening quarter, LCU took the lead in the final 45 seconds of the quarter on their 8-0 run to end the quarter. The eventual 11-0 run was highlighted by a shooting sequence that lasted 11 minutes in which LCU was 11-of-15 (73.3%) from the field. With 7:01 left in the first quarter,
Caitlyn Cunyus produced a field goal and it was the first of a span of 29 field goal attempts (the last resulting in a Duncan three-pointer with 7:46 left in the third quarter) in which LCU went 20-of-29 from the field (68.9%).
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Both teams displayed offensive distribution in the opening half of play. LCU played nine players in the opening half and all nine players had at least one field goal. TWU received points from six different players in the opening half.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps remain home and will host Tarleton State Saturday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.
