TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL (0-19, 0-7 Heartland)
at LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (18-4, 8-0 Heartland)
Saturday, February 9 - 1:00 PM
Rip Griffin Center (Lubbock, Texas)
Radio: Online Only
All-Time Series: LCU leads 13-1

REST NOT RUST
Lubbock Christian University was able to take an in-conference breather this week, as they did not play their standard Thursday night conference match Thursday.  The Lady Chaps, who have not played since a Feb. 2 win over St. Mary's, return to the hardwood Saturday hosting Texas A&M International. LCU, winners of their last 11 games, enters the weekend atop the Heartland Conference standings with an 8-0 conference mark. Newman (5-3) is the next closest team in the standings. With six conference games remaining, LCU's "magic number" to claim at least a share of their sixth conference title in program history and fourth in the Heartland Conference is "three" and it sits at "four" to claim the title outright.   

SATURDAY SUMMARY
Lubbock Christian University was a season-high 59.6% from the field and held St. Mary's to a 32.8% shooting mark, as the Lady Chaparrals remained unbeaten (8-0) in Heartland Conference play with a 73-55 win Saturday afternoon inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
The Lady Chaps shot at least 50% from the field in each of the four quarters, and they opened the game shooting 66.7% (8/12) in the first quarter of play.  St. Mary's opened the game making their first two shot attempts and had a 4-1 lead, but it quickly vanished as they missed 14 of their next 15 shot attempts, including the final 12 shot attempts of the quarter. LCU went on an 18-2 run in the quarter, aided by eight points from Maddi Chitsey to help LCU take a 19-6 lead into the second quarter.
 
LCU displayed their balance in the second quarter, as five different Lady Chaps produced at least one field goal. At the half, with LCU leading 35-18, the Lady Chaps had field goals from nine different players, while StMU had a total of eight field goals overall. The LCU defense held StMU to a 22.9% (8/35) shooting percentage in the first half.
 
The Rattlers made things interesting in the third quarter, as they went on an 11-4 run to cut LCU's lead down to 13 (49-36) with a minutes left in the third quarter. In the final minute of the quarter, LCU's Allie Schulte and Kailin Davis each hit a three-pointer to help LCU close the quarter on a 6-0 run for a 55-36 lead.
 
StMU was unable to catch up to the Lady Chaps in the fourth quarter, as LCU shot 70% (7/10) from the field in the quarter. LCU built the lead as much as 66-42 in the quarter before settling for the 73-55 final.
 
The Lady Chaps had four players in double figures, with Maddi Chitsey leading LCU with 13 points. Bobbi Chitsey and Allie Schulte each had 11 points and Olivia Robertson finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Schulte was 4-of-4 from the field and hit all three of her three-point field goal attempts. Along with their 59.6% shooting from the field, LCU was 50% (10/20) from three-point range.
 
St. Mary's was led by Arysia Porter, who posted a game-high 14 points. The Rattlers, who were 21-of-64 from the field (17 more shot attempts than LCU), also received 12 points from Kaitlin Walla and 11 points from Soteria Banks. The loss ended StMU's three-game win streak and places them with a 14-6 overall record and 4-4 in conference.
 
Five Lady Chaps produced at least three assists, led by Madelyn Turner, who posted a career-high six assists. The Lady Chaps assisted on a season-high 24 of their 28 field goals in the game.

HOMELAND SECURITY
LCU completed their home schedule going 16-0 last season and are 11-0 at home this season. LCU's last home game, Saturday's win over St. Mary's, extended their active home win streak to 61 games, which ranks sixth all-time in NCAA Division II women's basketball (it actively leads NCAA Div. II). If LCU extends the streak to 62, they would tie Emporia State (Feb. 27, 1997-Jan. 13, 2001) for the fifth-longest win streak in NCAA Division II history. The record is 87 consecutive home victories by Nebraska-Kearney, who completed the task from Jan. 31, 1995 - Nov. 24, 2001. LCU's last home loss came on Jan. 1, 2015 against Oklahoma City University. LCU has also won 53 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring Jan. 10, 2013 (against Oklahoma City). They are 47-0 all-time in Heartland Conference home games.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Lubbock Christian is holding opponents to 52.1 points per game in conference and 55.5 per game overall this season, which ranks 17^th nationally. The defensive efforts have led to LCU averaging a margin of victory of 16.4 points per game, which ranks 18^th nationally. The Lady Chaps have a 24.1 scoring margin advantage per game in conference play.

NO FOUL PLAY
The Lady Chaps rank 11th in the nation in fouls per game, with a conference-leading average of 14.3 fouls per game. Fouls have led LCU to outscoring their opponents 12.2 – 10.0 in points a game from the free-throw line. The Lady Chaps have shot over 80% from the free-throw line in eight games this season and they have a mark of 73.5% on the season (second in the Heartland Conference). Olivia Robertson leads the team (of qualified attempts), shooting 86.0% (74/86) from the line to rank third in the conference. 

FROM THE FIELD
Lubbock Christian continues to rank in the top-20 nationally in shooting, ranking seventh nationally with a 47.8% field goal shooting percentage. LCU has shot at least 41.9% in all but three games this season and have hit the .500 plateau on seven occasions, including four of their last six games. They are shooting 48.7% this season in home contests, shooting at least 53% in three of their last four home games.

SISTER CHRISTIAN
On Nov.10, the Lady Chaps game against CSU-Pueblo marked the first time in LCU program history in which a pair of sisters tallied double figures, as LCU received double-digit point production from Olivia Robertson, Juliana Robertson, Bobbi Chitsey and Maddi Chitsey. LCU has three sisters on the squad, and Dec. 8 marked the first game this season in which all three sets of sisters played in the same game. Dec. 10 at Texas A&M International, marked the first time all six sisters contributed at least a point in the same contest. On Jan. 17 against Rogers State, all six scored at least one point, marking the first time the occurrence happened at home.

LENDING A HELPING HAND
LCU has four players with at least an average of 2.0 assists per game. Allie Schulte leads the team with 71 assists (3.2 per game), with Caitlyn Cunyus (2.8), Olivia Robertson (52, 2.4) and Bobbi Chitsey (2.0) also playing a role in the ball distribution. LCU averages 16.1 assists (second in the Heartland Conference) on 25.8 field goals per game. LCU has 354 assists (leads the conference), ranking 15th nationally in the category.

HOME COURT
LCU is 11-0 inside Rip Griffin Center this season. The Lady Chaps have been led in scoring at home by Allie Schulte (11.9 points per game), with Olivia Robertson (11.8) not far behind. Robertson also averages 6.5 rebounds at home this season. LCU has a 100-58 advantage in three-pointers this season at home, with Allie Schulte knocking down three-pointers at a rate of 51.2% (21/41) and Madelyn Turner 9-of-11 (81.8%) from long range at home this season.

WHAT ABOUT BOBBI
Bobbi Chitsey is the reigning Heartland Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week. Chitsey led LCU with 15.5 points per game last week. She knocked down a career-high four three-pointers and led four Lady Chaparrals in double figures with 20 points Thursday against Newman. Chitsey was 7-of-9 from the field in her 20-point performance. The senior from Wall, Texas was 5-of-5 from the field in the first half with 14 points, converting on all four of her three-point attempts in the half. Along with a 4-for-5 shooting performance from beyond the arc, she also had a game-high six rebounds, two blocks and co-led the game in assists (4). LCU shot a season-high 59.6% Saturday over StMU, with Chitsey providing 11 points (nine in the second half). Her weekly totals included a .647 shooting percentage (11-of-17), with a 6-of-11 (.545) shooting performance from three-point range. The honor was Chitsey's first player of the week award this season. She has been in a scoring rhythm for the Lady Chaps.  Chitsey, who averaged 5.3 points per game over a six-game stretch prior to Dec. 8, is averaging 13.2 points per game in the past 12 games (beginning Dec. 8). On Jan. 26, she had a streak of seven straight games with at least 10 points end, but posted a career-high 15 rebounds in that game. Her offensive numbers have helped her bump her average scoring to 10.5 points per game, placing her as one of four Lady Chaps currently averaging double figures.

HAVING HEART
LCU, winners of 26 straight conference games, is the only unbeaten (8-0) team in Heartland Conference play this season. The Lady Chaps 8-0 start in conference has been led by Olivia Robertson, who has an average of 12.6 points per conference game. Bobbi Chitsey (12.1), Maddi Chitsey (10.9) and Allie Schulte (10.8) join Olivia Robertson in double figures in points. LCU has a 107-94 advantage in turnovers (forced) in conference contests, leading to a 131-96 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers. They are also benefiting off an average advantage of 11.5 – 4.9 second-chance-points per conference game and their bench averaging 24.9 points per conference game. The Lady Chaps are shooting 50.9% from the field in conference and shooting 37.8% from three-point range, with a 70-32 advantage in three-pointers (LCU is 59.9% inside the arc in conference). Opponents are 35.6% from the field and 27.1% from three-point range. LCU's defense has a 70-37 advantage in steals in conference games, with Allie Schulte leading the team with 16 (2.0 per game).

BOARD GAMES
The Lady Chaps rank seventh in the Heartland Conference in rebounds per game (33.5, which ranks 279^th of 301 Division II programs), but they lead the Heartland Conference in rebounding margin with a mark of 5.3 (49^th nationally). Olivia Robertson leads LCU with 134 rebounds (6.1 per game). LCU has only been out-rebounded twice over the prior 19 games and they have 58 more rebounds through seven conference games (+5.3 per conference game).

DOWNTOWN
The Lady Chaps rank 21^st nationally with 177 three-pointers on the season and is ninth with a shooting mark of 39.1% from long range. Allie Schulte leads the team, hitting three-pointers at a pace of 48.7% on the season (38/78), with 38 three-pointers ranking fifth in the conference. Bobbi Chitsey is 17-of-34 (.500) and Madelyn Turner is 7-of-15 (.467) from three-point range in conference play, with Bobbi Chitsey leading the team with 17 three-pointers in conference (2.1 per game).
 
IN DEPTH
Looking inside the Lady Chaps current 11-game win streak, it is split with a 5-0 home and 5-0 road record (1-0 in neutral site play). Olivia Robertson (13.5), Bobbi Chitsey (13.1) and Maddi Chitsey (11.7) are each averaging double figures in the current streak. LCU is shooting 48.5% from the field in the streak and they have an 87-51 advantage in three-point field goals. Bobbi Chitsey is 21-of-45 (46.7%) from long range in the streak. Of the 11 games, LCU has had five different players lead them in individual game scoring.   
 
LOOKING AT NEXT SEASON
Lubbock Christian University women's basketball head coach Steve Gomez has announced a pair of exhibition games for the 2019-20 season, which will see the Lady Chaparrals playing NCAA Division I opponents Texas (Oct. 28) and Baylor (Oct. 30).

The scheduling marks the second consecutive season the Lady Chaps will play a pair of NCAA Division I opponents. Prior to this season, LCU defeated SMU (62-51 on Oct. 28, 2018) prior to falling at New Mexico (62-55 on Oct. 30).
 
Playing NCAA Division I opponents in exhibition play has proven to be valuable for the success of the Lady Chaps. LCU fell 95-39 at No.1 Connecticut on Nov. 3, 2015 in Hartford, Conn. The loss, even though it was an exhibition loss, was LCU's only blemish en route to a perfect 35-0 season and a NCAA Division II National Championship. UConn went on to win the Division I national title as well with a 35-0 mark in the 2015-16 season.
 
LCU's office of University Advancement is organizing a fan bus experience involving the exhibition games. Travel packages, currently listed on www.lcu.edu/myladychaps include bus travel to the pair of games, lodging, game admission and time in Fredericksburg between the stops in Austin and Waco. Additional information in regards to the LCU Fan Bus can be made by contacting Kim Wheeler at 806-720-7216.
 
The Lady Chaps are 4-2 all-time against NCAA Division I programs (exhibition and regular season).
 
FIVE FACTS ABOUT TAMIU
- Texas A&M International is seeking their first win of the season, as they have opened the season 0-18. Dating back to last season, the Dustdevils are on a 20-game losing streak. Of this season's 18 losses, only two have been by a single-digit margin. Their average loss margin is by 30.3 points, which is last (301^st) in NCAA Div. II.
- The Dustdevils went 3-26 last season, with a 1-13 record in the Heartland Conference. Their season came to an end with an opening round loss to LCU at the Heartland Conference Tournament in Tulsa, Okla. TAMIU is preseason picked to finish last in the Heartland Conference this season.
- They venture to Lubbock seeking to end an 11-game road losing streak.
- Texas A&M International's top statistic in the conference in three-point field goal attempts, ranking sixth with a mark of 372 on the season. Alliyah Bryant ranks sixth in the conference with 106 attempts.
- Ciera Walker averages 3.0 offensive rebounds a game (third in the conference) and averages 6.6 overall rebounds per game.

THE SERIES AGAINST TAMIU
LCU leads the all-times series 13-1 against TAMIU. The Lady Chaps won the first five and the prior eight series meetings. LCU swept the regular season series last season, winning 73-53 on Jan. 4 in Lubbock and 69-46 in Laredo on Feb. 3, before claiming a 78-42 win at the Heartland Conference Tournament in Tulsa, Okla. LCU is 11-1 against TAMIU since joining the Heartland Conference.

PREVIOUS MEETING VS. TAMIU
January 10, 2019 (Laredo, Texas): LCU 89 - TAMIU 39
Lubbock Christian University has been plagued by turnovers on the road this season, but things were different in their Heartland Conference opener Thursday night inside Kinesiology and Convocation Building. The Lady Chaps limited themselves to seven turnovers and produced 17 steals en route to an 89-39 victory over Texas A&M International.

LCU, who entered the game being outscored in points-off-turnovers by an average of 25.2-12.2 in road games, had a 21-7 advantage in turnovers leading to them to outscore TAMIU 26-10 in points-off-turnovers.

All 13 Lady Chaps figured into the scoring, with four players producing double figures in points. Duncan led LCU with a career-high 12 points, marking the first time the sophomore has led LCU in scoring. Olivia Robertson and Bobbi Chitsey each had 11 points and Juliana Robertson contributed 10 points, marking the second time this season the Robertson sisters have each hit double figures in points. The Lady Chaps had 54 points off the bench, outscoring TAMIU 54-4 in bench scoring. The dominating numbers also included LCU outscoring TAMIU 44-22 in paint scoring and 18-7 in second chance scoring off the assistance of 14 offensive rebounds (38-23 overall advantage in rebounds).

TAMIU, LCU's second sub-.500 opponent faced in the past 10 games, remained winless on the season (0-13) and they fell for a 15th straight time (13th straight home loss). Ciera Walker (12 points) and Christine Ortega (11 points) led TAMIU in the loss. They were held to 28% (14/50) from the field and 18.2% (2/11) from long range.

LCU held TAMIU to 39 points matching a season best for fewest points allowed (allowed 39 points on Nov. 17 against Texas Permian Basin). Their offensive output (89 points) was a season high (highest since scoring 95 against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Dec. 7, 2017) and the 50-point was their highest win margin since a 53-point win (109-56) on Feb. 20, 2016 at Texas-Permian Basin.