FORT SMITH, Ark. (February 14, 2019) – No.22 Lubbock Christian University's inside play, behind a season-high 16 offensive rebounds, and defensive play stole the spotlight off a combined 33 points from
Maddi Chitsey (17) and
Olivia Robertson (16), as the Lady Chaps claimed at least a share of their sixth conference regular season title and their fourth in the Heartland Conference with a 65-29 road victory over Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) Thursday evening at Stubblefield Center.
Following Saturday's 88-19 home win over Texas A&M International, LCU's win Thursday marked the first time in program history in which LCU held their opponent under 30 points in consecutive games. LCU held UAFS, entering the game ranking third in the conference in shooting percentage, to a Lady Lions program-low 29 points off 24.5% shooting. While the Lady Chaps held TAMIU Saturday to one two-point field goal, Thursday they held RSU without a three-point field goal (0-of-5… the first time LCU held a team without a three-pointer since Rogers State was without one on Feb. 9, 2017). LCU produced 10 steals in the game (marking the first time this season they have had at least 10 steals in consecutive games this season) and forced UAFS into 19 turnovers, leading LCU to outscore the Lady Lions 11-4 in points off turnovers.
LCU's defensive presence arrived early in the game, as the Lady Lions went the opening 8:03 without a field goal. Meanwhile LCU was on a 12-0 run to jump out to a 12-2 lead. The Lady Chaps were 54.5% (6-of-11) from the field in the opening quarter and held UAFS to 1-of-12 (8.3%) shooting for a 17-4 lead. Chitsey was 4-of-4 from the field in the second quarter, leading to an eight-point quarter and helped LCU lead 32-15 at the halftime break.
Ashton Duncan had closed the first half with a three-pointer and Robertson opened the second half with a three-pointer to help spark a 10-2 LCU run. Robertson was 2-of-3 from three-point range in the third quarter and LCU was 53.8% (7-of-13) from the field in the quarter, leading to a 23-point-quarter for a 55-25 lead through three quarters.
Laynee Burr buried a three-pointer three minutes into the fourth quarter to cap a 15-0 LCU run. The quarter's offense was fairly stagnant, as LCU (2-of-12) and UAFS (2-of-11) combined for four field goals and 17.4% from the field.
Robertson, who had 10 points in the second half, and Chitsey were the lone Lady Chaps in double figures in points. Chitsey missed her second double-double by one rebound. LCU had at least one rebound grabbed by 12 of their 13 players and finished with 42. Their season-high 16 offensive rebounds were the most since Jan. 4, 2018 (vs. TAMIU) and it led to a 19-2 scoring advantage in second-chance scoring.
LCU improved to 12-1 all-time against UAFS, who was led by a 10-point effort from Tamera Gulley. The Lady Lions fell to 7-15 overall and 4-5 with the loss.
The Lady Chaps claimed their 13
th consecutive win and 28
th straight conference tilt. They are 20-4 overall and 10-0 in Heartland Conference play. With four games remaining in the regular season (all conference games), LCU clinches at least a share of their second consecutive Heartland Conference regular season title. It also marks the fifth time LCU will finish with at least a share of first place in the Heartland Conference. LCU had a first-place finish during the 2013-2014, when they were not permitted to claim the title label as part of their transition from NAIA.
TURNING POINT
The 10-2 run to open the second half took away any thought of the Lady Lions attempting any comeback. LCU had a 9-0 scoring advantage in second chance scoring in the third quarter behind six offensive rebounds.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Twelve of LCU's 13 players had at least one point, but only
Olivia Robertson and
Maddi Chitsey had more than six points for the Lady Chaps. While the two Lady Chaps were a combined 14-of-23 (60.9%) from the field, the rest of the team was 8-of-28 (28.6%) from the field (starters were 1-of-7, 14.3%).
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps head to Claremore, Okla. Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip against Rogers State University.
