ST. EDWARD'S (15-12, 7-6 Heartland)
at No.25 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (22-5, 12-1 Heartland)
Saturday, March 2 – 12 PM
Rip Griffin Center (Lubbock, Texas)
Radio: Online Only
All-Time Series: LCU leads 12-6

THAT'S A WRAP
The No.25 Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaps are hosting St. Edward's noon Saturday for their final regular season game of the 2018-19 campaign. It is not the final game of the season, as LCU heads into the Heartland Conference Tournament Thursday, but it could be LCU's final game at home. The contest will mark LCU's final Heartland Conference game of all time, as LCU moves into the Lone Star Conference next season. The Lady Chaps have an opportunity to conclude their Heartland Conference play with a 49-0 all-time record in Heartland Conference home game. LCU has already wrapped up the regular season conference title and have locked up the top seed for the conference tournament in Tulsa, Okla. St. Edward's heads into the final day of regular season play in a share of third place in the conference with a 7-6 conference mark. They can finish as high as third place or as low as sixth place, as four teams are separated within a win-loss of each other.

SATURDAY SUMMARY
No.20 Lubbock Christian University opened the game on a 25-0 run and cruised to a 93-44 victory over Oklahoma Christian University in a Heartland Conference contest inside Rip Griffin Center Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Chaps could not have asked for a better opening of the game. They converted on their first 10 shot attempts, with five drained from three-point range, and it was all part of a 25-0 run to open the game. Maddi Chitsey accounted for three of the field goals, including a three-pointer, for seven points during the run. The 10-of-10 shooting spree took place as OC opened the game 0-of-10 from the field. OC went the first 6:47 of the game without a point. LCU led 27-6 at the end of the first quarter.
 
OC was 2-of-14 (14.3%) from the field in the opening quarter, and it did not get better in the second quarter for the Lady Eagles. They went 2-of-17 (11.8%) in the second quarter (combined for 4-of-31, 12.9% in the half) and were unable to close the gap. LCU had a 15-shot stretch in the quarter in which they made nine field goals (60%) and received six points in the quarter from Cunyus, who capped an 8-0 run to close the half with a field goal for a 52-14 halftime lead.
 
Addy Clift, the nation's leading scorer, opened the game 0-of-8 from the field, but started to get in a rhythm in the third quarter. She was 4-of-5 from the field in the third quarter and had 13 points. LCU spent much of the quarter at the free-throw line, netting 10 points from the line. The Lady Chaps outscored OC 20-19 in the quarter and led 72-33 heading into the final quarter.
 
Freshman Channing Cunyus notched a career-high nine points, with seven registered in the fourth quarter. Ashton Duncan also drained a pair of three-pointers in the quarter, as LCU went 5-of-8 from three-point range in the quarter. LCU was 7-of-12 (58.3%) from the field in the quarter, as LCU outscored the Lady Eagles 21-11 in the frame.
 
On Feb. 9 against Texas A&M International, LCU's prior home game, Allie Schulte and Caitlyn Cunyus each had a +41 plus/minus rating, which was the highest mark recorded since LCU began keeping the stat on file in 2010.  The mark was topped Saturday by Caitlyn Cunyus, who was a +42. She completed the mark on the floor for 19 minutes of play.
 
Caitlyn was one of three Lady Chaps to drain a trio of three-pointers, joining Olivia Robertson and Duncan (all three were 3-of-5). LCU was 15-of-30 (50%) from three-point range. It marks the second time this season LCU has made at least 15 three-pointers in a game this season.
 
All 13 Lady Chaps figured into the scoring and had at least one rebound and 10 different players had at least one assist, as LCU produced a season-high 27 assists (the most since Feb. 2, 2017). Four Lady Chaps had at least four assists, with Bobbi Chitsey leading LCU with five. LCU assisted on 27 of their 31 field goals (87.1%).
 
LCU was 52.5% (31/59) from the field and led in scoring by Olivia Robertson, who had 15 points. Chitsey sisters Maddi (11 points) and Bobbi (10 points) combined for 21 points. Their 93 points was a season high and their highest point total since scoring 95 on Dec. 7, 2017 (vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State).
 
OC's 44-point total was a season low and their lowest point output since Jan. 24, 2015. Clift tallied 23 of their 44 points and was their lone player in double figures. OC was 27.3% (15/55) from the field and 12.0% (3/25) from long distance. They fell to 12-13 on the season and 5-7 in conference.
 
The meeting was the 57th all-time meeting between the two programs and the 49-point margin of victory was LCU's largest in the series. The Lady Chaps have now defeated OC 17 consecutive times and in 24 of the last 27 meetings.
 
SUMMARIZING THE TITLE TALK
On Feb. 16, LCU claimed their second consecutive Heartland Conference regular season title (sixth conference title overall in program history and fourth in the Heartland Conference). It also marks the fifth time LCU has finished 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.
 
The regular season title gives LCU the No.1-seed at the conference tournament, which runs Mar. 7-10 in Tulsa, Okla. They will open their Tulsa stay facing No.8-seed Texas A&M International Thursday, Mar. 7 at 5 p.m. inside Union Multipurpose Activity Center (UMAC). Tickets for the Heartland Conference Tournament are currently on sale (www.heartlandsports.org/bbchampionship).
 
HOMELAND SECURITY
LCU completed their home schedule going 16-0 last season and are 13-0 at home this season. LCU's last home game, an 93-44 win over Oklahoma Christian Saturday, extended their active home win streak to 63 games, which ranks fifth all-time in NCAA Division II women's basketball (it actively leads NCAA Div. II). If LCU extends the streak to 64, they would tie Glenville State (Jan. 16, 1999-Dec. 1, 2004) and Delta State (Jan. 27, 2007-Nov. 12, 2011) in having the third-longest home 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 54 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring Jan. 10, 2013 (against Oklahoma City). They are 48-0 all-time in Heartland Conference home games.
 
NCAA DIVISION II'S LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS
87 - Neb.-Kearney      Jan. 31, 1995-Nov. 24, 2001
85 - West Tex. A&M      Jan. 9, 1987-Dec. 6, 1991
64 - Glenville St.      Jan. 16, 1999-Dec. 1, 2004
64 - Delta St.      Jan. 27, 2007-Nov. 12, 2011
63 – Lubbock Christian     Jan. 1, 2015 -->

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Lubbock Christian is holding opponents to 48.0 points per game in conference and 52.9 per game overall this season, which ranks seventh nationally. The defensive efforts have led to LCU averaging a margin of victory of 19.5 points per game, which ranks 11^th nationally. The Lady Chaps have a 27.7 scoring margin advantage per game in conference play.

NO FOUL PLAY
The Lady Chaps rank 14th in the nation in fouls per game, with a conference-leading average of 14.3 fouls per game (13.8 in conference). Fouls have led LCU to outscoring their opponents 12.5 – 9.8 in points a game from the free-throw line. The Lady Chaps have shot over 80% from the free-throw line in nine games this season and they have a mark of 72.7% on the season (second in the Heartland Conference). Olivia Robertson leads the team (of qualified attempts), shooting 86.9% (93/107) from the line to rank second in the conference (23^rd nationally). 

FROM THE FIELD
Lubbock Christian continues to rank in the top-20 nationally in shooting, ranking sixth nationally with a 48.6% 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 10 occasions, including seven of their last 11 games. They are shooting 49.4% this season in home contests.

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 82 assists (3.0 per game), with Caitlyn Cunyus (2.7), Olivia Robertson (60, 2.2) and Bobbi Chitsey (2.1) also playing a role in the ball distribution. LCU averages 16.3 assists (leads the Heartland Conference) on 25.9 field goals per game. LCU has 439 assists (leads the conference), ranking 20^th nationally in the category.

MAD HOUSE
Inside player Maddi Chitsey has had the hot-hand for LCU, posting at least 10 points in nine of the last 10 games (averaging 14.0 points per game over the last 10 games). In their last three-game road swing, Maddi produced a 17.0-point and 6.7-rebounding average. She is also averaging 6.5 rebounds per game over the prior eight games and is a combined 4-for-8 (50%) over the past four games from three-point range.

HAVING HEART
The Lady Chaps 12-1 record in conference has been led by Olivia Robertson, who has an average of 12.8 points per conference game. Maddi Chitsey (12.2) joins Robertson in double figures in points. LCU has a 195-158 advantage in turnovers (forced) in conference contests, leading to a 220-141 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers. They are also benefiting off an average advantage of 11.2 – 4.1 second-chance-points per conference game and their bench averaging 26.2 points per conference game. The Lady Chaps are shooting 50.6% from the field in conference and shooting 39.6% from three-point range, with an 113-50 advantage in three-pointers (LCU is 57.9% inside the arc in conference). Opponents are 33.0% from the field and 25.1% from three-point range. LCU's defense has a 116-64 advantage in steals in conference games, with Allie Schulte leading the team with 22 (1.7 per game).

BOARD GAMES
The Lady Chaps rank seventh in the Heartland Conference in rebounds per game (34.3, which ranks 268^th of 301 Division II programs), but they lead the Heartland Conference in rebounding margin with a mark of 6.8 (31^st nationally). Olivia Robertson leads LCU with 168 rebounds (6.2 per game). LCU has only been out-rebounded twice over the prior 24 games and they have 124 more rebounds through 13 conference games (+9.5 per conference game).

DOWNTOWN
The Lady Chaps rank 35^th nationally with 220 three-pointers on the season and is fourth with a shooting mark of 38.8% from long range. Allie Schulte leads the team, hitting three-pointers at a pace of 51.2% on the season (44/86), with 44 three-pointers ranking fifth in the conference. Bobbi Chitsey is 21-of-47 (.447) from three-point range in conference play and joins Schulte (18-of-36, .500) to stand as LCU's three-pointers in conference (Chitsey is averaging 1.6 per conference game).
 
HOME COURT
LCU is 13-0 inside Rip Griffin Center this season. The Lady Chaps have been led in scoring at home by Allie Schulte (11.8 points per game), with Olivia Robertson (11.6) not far behind. Robertson also averages 6.5 rebounds at home this season. LCU has a 124-66 advantage in three-pointers this season at home, with Allie Schulte knocking down three-pointers at a rate of 55.3% (26/47) at home this season. Madelyn Turner (11-of-18, 61.1%) and Bobbi Chitsey (19-of-40, 47.5%) have also produced effectively from long range at home this season. LCU's defense has held their opponents to a 32.9% shooting mark from the field inside Rip Griffin Center this season.
 
REGIONAL REVIEW
The NCAA released their second South Central Regional Rankings of the season Wednesday and the Lady Chaps are ranked third in the regional standings. The No.1 seed in the final rankings released Mar.10 will serve as host (unless refused) of the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament, and only the top eight teams qualify for the tournament.
 
1          West Texas A&M                   
2          Colorado Mesa                      
3          Lubbock Christian      
4          Angelo State  
5          Tarleton State                        
6          Westminster (Utah)               
7          Eastern New Mexico
8          Texas A&M-Commerce         
9          St. Mary's (Texas)     
10        Black Hills State
 
ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
Olivia Robertson was selected as an Academic All-District Six (NCAA Div. II) recipient by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). 

Robertson holds a 3.91 GPA in exercise science. One of two remaining members off LCU's 2015-16 NCAA Division II National Championship squad, Robertson leads LCU averaging 14.4 points per game (fifth in the Heartland Conference. She leads the Lady Chaps in conference scoring, averaging per Heartland Conference tilt. She ranks second in the Heartland Conference in free-throw percentage (86.9%) and minutes played (831:21). She has played in all 27 games and leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per game.

In order to be selected to an academic all-district team, a student-athlete must demonstrate success on the playing field and in the classroom, with academic and athletic achievements taken into consideration. The student-athlete must possess a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA and be at least a sophomore in academic standing. 

The honor is the first All-District academic honor for Robertson, and it gives LCU six Academic All-District selections in women's basketball at the NCAA Div. II level in program history. Robertson, like Tess Bruffey last season, will now be nominated to receive Academic All-America accolades.
 
SENIOR SALUTE
Saturday is Senior Day for the LCU women's basketball program, as seniors Olivia Robertson and Bobbi Chitsey play their final regular season games as members of the Lady Chaps. Each member are the last remaining active members off LCU's 2015-16 NCAA Division II National Championship squad. Robertson enters Saturday with 114 games played and 952 career points, with 479 career rebounds. Chitsey has appeared in 112 career games and has 823 career points, with 329 boards.
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEU
- The Hilltoppers are 15-12 overall on the season and they improved to 7-6 in Heartland Conference play after topping Texas A&M International 74-50 Wednesday to claim their fifth win in a six-game stretch. They started out conference play 1-4.
- SEU completed the 2017-18 season with a 11-17 mark in conference play. Their season came to a close with an opening round loss to UAFS at the Heartland Conference Tournament. They were preseason picked No.6 in this season's conference preseason poll.
- Former Frenship High School product Abby Hopper is in her senior season with the Hilltoppers. She is averaging 6.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Hopper did not play in the prior meeting against LCU.
- The Hilltoppers lead the conference in turnovers forced, forcing 17.9 per game.
- LCU's conference-leading three-point shooting squad faces a Hilltoppers squad that leads the conference in three-point shooting defense. Their opponents are shooting 28.4% from long range. They have only allowed an opponent to shoot more than six three-pointers in a game twice this season, and that was in their opening two games of the season in which they allowed seven three-pointers.

SERIES HISTORY WITH SEU
LCU has won 11 of the last 13 meetings and leads the all-time series lead at 12-6. The Lady Chaps swept the season series last season, with the previous meeting resulting in a 65-52 win in Austin, Texas (Feb. 24, 2018). The two teams have played in the championship game of the conference tournament in 2016 and 2017 (teams have split at the conference tournament). LCU is 6-0 all-time against SEU in Lubbock.

PREVIOUS MEETING VS.SEU
Jan. 24, 2019 (Austin, Texas): LCU 66 - SEU 57
Maddi Chitsey (20 points) and Olivia Robertson (19 points) combined for 39 points and Lubbock Christian University shot 68.9% inside the arc to improve to 5-0 in Heartland Conference play with a 66-57 win over St. Edward's University inside Recreation and Convocation Center.

The Lady Chaps were 24-of-35 inside the arc (68.6%) during the contest. They started off 11-of-14 (78.6%) inside the arc in the first half.

Despite the hot inside shooting, LCU found themselves trailing 32-30 at the half. SEU made their first 10 field goal attempts in side the arc. Maddi Chitsey had 10 points in the first quarter, but a 6-0 run in the quarter allowed SEU to take an 18-11 lead en route to a 20-16 advantage at the close of the first quarter. The Lady Chaps went on a 13-1 run and took a 27-21 lead in the second quarter. The Hilltoppers took advantage of nine LCU turnovers and eight offensive rebounds in the first half. They had nine more field goal attempts than LCU and the advantage helped close the first half on a 7-0 run over the final 3:36 of the second quarter to take a 32-30 lead.

SEU had a 17-2 scoring advantage in the first half in points-off-turnovers (9-0 in the second quarter). While Chitsey had 12 points in the first half, SEU's Isabel Hernandez led all scorers with 13 points in the opening half.

The Lady Chaps had a busted play in the opening series of the second half, but a loose ball ended up in the hands of Bobbi Chitsey, who drained a three-pointer to give LCU a 33-32 lead. The teams went back-and-fourth offensively the next few series before LCU went on a 7-0 run, with five of the points scored by Olivia Robertson, which built LCU's lead to 46-39. LCU led 52-45 at the end of the third quarter.

A run to close the third quarter rolled into the fourth quarter, leading to a 16-4 LCU run to help build their lead to 64-49. The lead, with 4:22 remaining, was enough to hold off any Hilltoppers rally the rest of the way.

LCU finished with four players in double figures in points. Allie Schulte (11 points) and Bobbi Chitsey (10 points) joined Robertson and Maddi Chitsey in double figures for LCU.

The Lady Chaps shot over 50% despite poor outside shooting. LCU shot 52.8% (28/53) from the field, shooting 22.2% (4/18) from long range. SEU struggled as well from outside, shooting 15.8% (3/19) from three-point range. Overall, they were 41.1% (23/56) from the field.

SEU, falling to 9-10 overall and 1-4 in conference play, was led by Hernandez, who finished with 20 points. Maryam Wilcher (12 points) and Lexi Cunningham (11 points) also provided into the Hilltoppers scoring. SEU out-rebounded LCU 33-26, marking just the second time in the past 16 games in which LCU has been out-rebounded.