GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (March 16, 2019) – No.15/20 Colorado Mesa was scoreless over the final 3:09 and was unable to tie the game with four possessions in the final four seconds of the game, as No.24/25 Lubbock Christian University ended the game on a 7-0 run and the No.3-seed Lady Chaps escaped with a 56-53 win over No.2-seed Mavericks, ending the Mavericks 20-game home win streak inside a rowdy Brownson Arena. The win advances LCU into the Sweet Sixteen and they return home to host No.4-seed Angelo State in the NCAA Division II South Central Region championship game at 8 p.m. Tuesday inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
With 3:09 left, D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year Jaylyn Duran connected on a three-pointer to put CMU up 53-49. Over the final 3:09, Colorado Mesa was 0-of-5 from the field and they produced three turnovers. Meanwhile, LCU made four of their final five field goal attempts and closed the game on a 7-0 run. Caitlyn Cunyus started the run with a layup. Following a pair of missed field goal attempts and a turnover by the Mavericks, LCU took the lead with a pair of inside baskets by Bobbi Chitsey to put LCU up 55-53, as 1:03 remained. Kelsey Siemons, whose only field goal of the game was a three-pointer earlier in the quarter, attempted a three-pointer with 48 seconds left, but it was blocked by Maddi Chitsey. LCU was unable to add to the 55-53 lead, as LCU missed their shot attempt and CMU came away with the rebound with 16 seconds remaining. The Mavericks went to Duran again for a three-point attempt, but Juliana Robertson was there for the block. Olivia Robertson went to the free-throw line with four seconds left and made one of two free-throws to put LCU up 56-53. Following the timeout and advancement to the front court, Siemons attempted to put a pass into the right corner for an awaiting Duran, but Juliana Robertson jumped the passing lane and got the steal. She was fouled with four-tenths of a second left (0.4). Juliana missed both free throws and had a lane violation on the second attempt, leading to the Mavericks calling a timeout and advancing the inbounds with 0.4 left. They inbounded for a shot by Siemens, just inside half court, and the shot hit the back iron and the buzzer finally sounded, leading to a celebration of blue among a near capacity crowd of 1,659 fans.
 
It was a tightly played game throughout. The two teams combined for 11 lead changes and the score was tied on an additional 10 instances. Neither team had more than a six-point lead and LCU was able to overcome a six-point deficit. Colorado Mesa had the lead for 20:01 of the game.
 
LCU did lead following three of the quarters, leading 12-10 after the opening frame and leading 38-37 after the third quarter. They struggled in the second quarter. The Lady Chaps, who were held to five field goals in the entire first half, were 2-of-10 from the field in the quarter. They had a 20-15 lead in the second quarter, but then did not connect on a field goal for the next 8:39, which led to them trailing at the half 26-23.
 
Allie Schulte ended the drought with a steal and a layup, which jump-started a 9-0 LCU run to take a 32-28 lead. It was quickly erased, as CMU responded with a 7-0 run. Eight of the 11 lead changes took place in the second half.
 
The statistics were not indicative to the outcome, as LCU struggled in many offensive areas. Fortunately for the Lady Chaps, they had 23 points from the free-throw line (second-most on the season) on a season-high 32 attempts. Entering the game ranked 11^th in fewest fouls per game, LCU was whistled above their 14.1 fouls per game average, being whistled 15 times, but still had a 23-11 scoring advantage from the line.
 
Here is a look at where LCU struggled:

• LCU was 16-of-40 from the field (40%) and it was just their fourth game of season shooting under 42%.
• The Lady Chaps were 1-of-8 from three-point range. The one three-pointer is the lowest in a game since recording one against St. Edward's at the Heartland Conference Tournament on Mar. 5, 2017. LCU was 11-of-18 the prior night from three-point range.
• LCU was out-rebounded 31-29, which is only the third time LCU has been out-rebounded in the past 30 games.
• The Lady Chaps could not capitalize on turnovers, as they were outscored 16-12 in points-off-turnovers despite a 15-10 turnover advantage.

 
LCU overcame the low-marks and adversity behind the play of Olivia Robertson, who led all scorers with 20 points. Robertson co-led the team (with Caitlyn Cunyus) with five boards and was 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Maddi Chitsey also finished in double-figures with 15 points.
 
CMU had their season end at 27-4. Kylyn Rigsby led the mavericks with 12 points and Daniella Turner and Duran each posted 10 points. Duran's total was a season-low.
 
The meeting was the second all-time meeting between the two programs and the first since Nov. 21, 2003. LCU improved to 2-0 all-time against CMU and 8-0 all-time in the South Central Region Tournament.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's 9-0 run in the third quarter was a big turn of events for the Lady Chaps. After going 8:39 without a field goal, LCU ended the drought with the 9-0 run, which provided them an offensive pulse. Olivia Robertson (6 points) and Allie Schulte (5 points) combined for 11 of LCU's 15 points in the third quarter, and they helped LCU shoot 57.9% in the second half.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
With the win at Colorado Mesa, LCU is 2-0 this season in road games against ranked opponents. LCU is 2-1 in road games against ranked opponents since becoming full active NCAA Division II members in 2015-16.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
With this season's NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament being a split-host tournament, the best remaining seed following the semifinals serves as host of the region championship game.  With No.3-seed Lubbock Christian and No.4-seed Angelo State remaining, LCU will serve as the host of the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament Championship Game. LCU hosted the South Central Region Tournanment in 2016 and 2018 and will host the championship game for a third season. The game is set for 8 p.m. Tuesday inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
ChapNation members have been contacted via email and will have the opportunity to reserve their seats prior to noon Monday. Tickets will go on sale to the general public Monday at noon. Tickets for the game are $10.