LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (18-8, 9-5 Heartland)
vs. OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN (9-15, 4-9)
Saturday, Feb. 23 – 3 p.m.
Rip Griffin Center (Lubbock, Texas)
All-Time Series: OC leads 39-26
 
HOME SWEET HOME
Lubbock Christian University is returning from a three-game road trip to host its final two regular season games in the friendly confines of the Rip Griffin Center, starting with Saturday's matchup against Oklahoma Christian. The Chaparrals are 11-1 at home this season and since the start of the 2014-15 season, they are 59-10 when playing on their home floor. Conversely, the Eagles are 2-9 on the road this season, with wins against Cameron and Texas A&M International.
 
SHARP SHOOTING
The Chaparrals have shot better than 50 percent from the field in 13 games this season, winning all but one of those contests. Last Thursday's lost to Dallas Baptist marked the first time this season that the Chaps made at least half their shots (50.8 percent) and took a loss. They have the best shooting percentage in the Heartland Conference at .484. If LCU hits less than half of its shots, however, it has a losing record of just 3-6. The Chaps' best shooting game this season was on Dec. 19 when they shot 55.4 percent in a 23-point win against UT Permian Basin.
 
SHARING IS CARING
Redshirt freshman Cameron Copley currently ranks third in the Heartland Conference with 4.2 assists per game, but has stepped things up recently, posting at least five assists in each of the last four games and at least seven in each of the last three. Copley matched his career high last Thursday against Dallas Baptist with eight assists. He also had eight assists against Jarvis Christian on 12/29/18.
 
LUCKY NO. 7
On Wednesday, the NCAA released the first Division II regional rankings, with Lubbock Christian sitting at No. 7. Lubbock Christian is 17-8 overall with a 14-8 record against fellow South Central Region Teams, and in good position as the top eight teams advance to the NCAA Tournament. St. Edward's leads the rankings in the No. 1 spot, and fellow Heartland Conference member Dallas Baptist is No 6. LCU's Thursday night opponent, Newman, is currently No. 10 in the poll.
 
SUPER SENIORS
In all but four of this season's games, the Chaps have been led in the scoring column by two players – Brennen Fowler and Isaac Asrat – who are also the only two seniors on the team. Fowler has led the team in scoring 12 times after scoring 26 points on Thursday against Newman, Asrat has led nine times, and the two were co-leaders in one other game. In the four games that either Fowler or Asrat did not lead, the scoring leaders were Rashaan Proctor (twice), Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath and Silas Crisler.
 
DAUNTING DEFENSE
Not only does LCU lead the Heartland Conference in field goal percentage, shooting an incredible 48.2 percent, they also have limited opposing teams to the lowest shooting percentage in the conference and the 48th lowest in the country. Chap opponents this season are shooting just 41.6 percent from the field (42.7 percent in conference play). Lubbock Christian has only let three teams shoot better than 50 percent against them, and they have out-shot their opponent in 21 of their 25 games this season (15-6 in those games).
 
DOUBLE-TROUBLE
Lubbock Christian forward Brennen Fowler is averaging a double-double for the season with 18.8 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per contest. Both of those figures are second best in the Heartland Conference. On Thursday against Newman, Fowler posted his 13th actual double-double of the season, scoring 26 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. His career total for double-doubles is 38, which is tied for the fourth most among active Division II players with Gage Davis of St. Cloud State.
 
FACING THE HEARTLAND
The Chaparrals are in their sixth season of Heartland Conference play after first joining for the 2013-14 campaign. They have now played a total of 107 games in conference play, making Thursday's contest against Newman their 108th in Heartland play. LCU is 71-37 in those six seasons giving them a .663 winning percentage overall.
 
FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE EAGLES

• Forward Will Lienhard is the Heartland Conference leading rebounder, averaging 12.7 board per game
• Eagles have the worst defense in the conference, giving up an average of 77.6 points per game
• OC is strong offensively, scoring 78.5 points per contest
• Oklahoma Christian is the only Heartland team and one of only two overall to take down St. Edward's this season, beating them 84-80 on 2/7
• Jordan Box leads the team and ranks fourth in the Heartland Conference with 16.0 points per game