NCAA DIV.II ELITE EIGHT TOURNAMENT – QUARTERFINALS
No.4-Seed / No.20 NORTH GEORGIA (30-4, 19-3 Peach Belt)
vs. No.5-Seed / No.24/25 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (29-5, 13-1 Heartland)
Tuesday, March 27 – 7:30 PM (Central)
Alumni Hall (Columbus, Ohio)
Radio: Double-T 97.3 FM
All-Time Series: First Ever Meeting

THEY ARE BACK!
During the 2015-16 season, the Lady Chaparrals of Lubbock Christian University were the new kids on the block, as they were making a National Championship march in their first season eligible in NCAA Division II. Fast forward to this season and LCU is making their third Elite Eight Tournament appearance in a four-year span and they are one of two teams from last season's field in the mix this season (LCU joins Indiana-Pa.). LCU has seen both ends of the spectrum the prior two Elite Eight appearances. They won it all in 2016 and they were the first team eliminated in 2018. Those prior two appearances were in Sioux Falls, S.D. and this season's tournament is hosted in Columbus, Ohio, with games played inside Alumni Hall on the campus of Ohio Dominican University. The Lady Chaps get the final game on the quarterfinal docket Tuesday, facing No.4-seed North Georgia in LCU's first game ever on Ohio soil.
 
THE "IF's"
IF LCU WINS: If the Lady Chaps defeat North Georgia, they will improve to 30-5 on the season and will they will improve their NCAA Division II postseason all-time record to 13-1. They would advance to the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday evening (7:30 p.m. CT), facing the winner of the quarterfinal matchup featuring Drury and Nova Southeastern.
 
IF LCU LOSES: If the Lady Chaps fall to the Nighthawks, they will be eliminated from the tournament and their season will end with a record of 29-6.

TUESDAY TRIBUNE
Maddi Chitsey posted a double-double (26 points and 10 rebounds) and Olivia Robertson contributed 22 points, as their 48 combined points helped No.24/25 Lubbock Christian University claim an Elite Eight Tournament berth with a 76-70 victory over No.4-seed Angelo State Tuesday night inside an energetic Rip Griffin Center.  LCU became the third program in NCAA Division II history to claim a 65th consecutive home victory, and they advance to the Elite Eight Tournament as a No.5-seed to face No,4-seed North Georgia Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (Central) at Ohio Dominican University's Alumni Hall in Columbus, Ohio.
 
The opening half was game of scoring surges. The Lady Chaps connected on their first four field goal attempts, with three-pointers by Allie Schulte and Caitlyn Cunyus in the mix, leading to a 12-0 run to open the game. Schulte ended up with seven points in the quarter and LCU led 20-9 through the opening 10 minutes of the game.
 
The Belles overcame the 12-point deficit in the second quarter by outscoring LCU 27-13 in the quarter and closing the half on a 9-0 run to take a 36-33 lead into the locker room. Robertson (8 points) and Chitsey (5 points) were the only Lady Chaps to score in the second quarter, while the Belles received production from six different players in the quarter, including a combined 16 points from Marquita Daniels (9 points) and De'Anira Moore (7 points).
 
ASU took advantage of an 11-4 foul advantage with a 10-2 scoring advantage from the free-throw line in the first half. Each team had a player in double figures in the first half, as Robertson led LCU with 12 points and Moore produced 10 in the half for ASU.
 
LCU knocked down four of their first five shot attempts of the third quarter, and a 20-7 run to start the quarter allowed LCU to take a 53-43 lead. Maddi Chitsey had 10 points in the quarter and LCU lead 56-48 with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter before ASU went on a run to close the third quarter.
 
The Belles cut LCU's lead to 56-54 a minute into the fourth quarter. LCU responded with an 11-0 run, start by a trio of Bobbi Chitsey free-throws and a long distance three-pointer from Maddi Chitsey. ASU was not to be counted out, as with 38 seconds remaining, Dezirae Hampton hit a three-pointer to cut LCU's lead to 73-70. LCU did not have a field goal in the final 2:33 of the game, but free-throws allowed them to hold on. ASU HAD A 6-of-8 shooting sequence going until closing out the game missing their final three shot attempts.
 
Angelo was led by All-Tournament Team selection Marquita Daniels in the loss. She produced five steals in the game and posted a game-high 27 points. They also received 16 points from Moore and 11 points from Maria Delgado. The Belles have had their season end in Lubbock three of the past four seasons and this season came to an end with a 26-6 record.
 
LCU was led by Maddi Chitsey, who was two points off a career-high in scoring, and she completed her second double-double of the season. Robertson posted her third consecutive game of at least 20 points with her 22 points (second time this season she has had such a sequence). All of LCU's scoring came from their five starters, as for the first time this season, LCU did not have any scoring from their bench.
 
Robertson was named the Region Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21.7 points in the trio of games. Maddi Chitsey joined her on the All-Tournament Team with 18.7 points per game.
 
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 marked 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. As for the Heartland Conference Tournament title, this season's conference tournament title was LCU's third Heartland Conference Tournament championship and their fourth conference tournament championship in program history. They added more hardware last week claiming their third berth to the Elite Eight Tournament, winning the South Central Region Tournament.
 
ALL-REGION ACCOLADES
Lubbock Christian University women's basketball's Maddi Chitsey and Olivia Robertson each received D2CCA All-South Central Region Team honors for the 2018-19 season.

Chitsey, a junior from Wall, Texas is coming off All-Tournament Team and MVP honors at the Heartland Conference Tournament after setting the program tournament scoring record averaging 20.3 points per contest on 59% (23/39) shooting. She has posted at least 10 points in 16 of the last 17 games (topping 20 in five of the games), which has her averaging 13.1 points per game on the season. She is tied for sixth in the region in blocks (45), eighth in blocks per game (1.4) and 13th in field goals (165). Chitsey was a Heartland Conference preseason and regular season All-Heartland Conference selection this season.

Robertson leads the Lady Chaps in scoring and rebounding this season with an average of 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. The Kerrville, Texas native was an All-Tournament Team selection at the Heartland Conference Tournament with an average of 10.3 points and 8.0 rebounds, as she claimed her team-leading fifth double-double in the championship game of the tournament. She has a conference-leading 88.2% free-throw shooting percentage (second in the region and 14th nationally) on the season (120/136), which has her on pace with an 87.9% (275-313) career free-throw shooting percentage to finish second all-time in LCU program history. She is one of five players in the region with at least 425 points and 200 rebounds on the season and leads the region in minutes played (1055 minutes). Tuesday's South Central Region championship game was her 121^st career game, putting her a game away from tying Sara Stratton (Drury, 2000-04) for the second-most in Heartland Conference history.

Named to the Second Team, Chitsey and Robertson mark the second season since joining NCAA Division II in which multiple Lady Chaps have been recognized. 
 
LCU ALL-CONFERENCE CONVERSATION
The All-Heartland Conference Women's Basketball Team honors were announced prior to the opening day of play at the Heartland Conference Tournament at the Pre-Tournament Awards Social. Here is a glance at LCU's award winners:

Steve Gomez – Coach of the Year
Olivia Robertson – First Team
Maddi Chitsey – First Team
Bobbi Chitsey – Honorable Mention
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT (CONFERENCE)
Maddi Chitsey tallied an LCU program single-game high for Heartland Conference Tournament performances with 24 points against Newman Sunday, leading to Conference Tournament MVP honors, as the conference announced the All-Tournament Team honors following LCU's win over Newman in the title game in Tulsa, Okla. Along with Chitsey, LCU's Olivia Robertson (10.3 points, 8.0 rebounds) and Allie Schulte (11.3 points, 3.3 assists) also received All-Tournament Team accreditation.
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT (REGION)
Olivia Robertson was named the South Central Region Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21.7 points in the trio of games. Maddi Chitsey joined her on the All-Tournament Team with 18.7 points per game.
 
REGIONAL REVIEW
LCU's third NCAA Division II postseason run is nothing new when it comes to LCU's postseason success under head coach Steve Gomez. Prior to receiving NCAA Division II membership status, LCU made 10 consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Tournament and went 15-10 (all under head coach Steve Gomez). LCU is 12-1 all-time in NCAA postseason play. LCU is 49.8% from the field all-time in NCAA postseason play, with Nicole Hampton serving as their postseason points leader per average (17.8) and Tess Bruffey (138) tabbed as their all-time postseason points leader (she averaged 13.8 points per NCAA postseason game). Maddi Chitsey averages 15.6 points per NCAA postseason game and has played in seven contests. Chitsey is 30 points from passing Bruffey's career postseason mark. Olivia Robertson has appeared in nine postseason games and is averaging 11.4 points per game. She is 36 points behind Bruffey's career postseason points mark.
 
HOME IS WHERE THE STREAK IS
LCU is 15-0 this season inside Rip Griffin Center. With their last home game, which resulted in a 76-70 win over Angelo State on Mar. 16, LCU extended their active home win streak to 65 games, which ranks third all-time in NCAA Division II women's basketball (it actively leads NCAA Div. II). 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, who also has a 7-0 mark in NCAA postseason play in Lubbock in the mix, has also won 55 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring Jan. 10, 2013 (against Oklahoma City). They completed a 49-0 all-time mark 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
65 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 -->
64 - Glenville St. Jan. 16, 1999-Dec. 1, 2004
64 - Delta St. Jan. 27, 2007-Nov. 12, 2011

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Lubbock Christian held opponents to 47.7 points per game in conference play and they are holding opponents to 52.6 per game overall this season, which ranks fifth nationally. The defensive efforts have led to LCU averaging a margin of victory of 20.2 points per game, which ranks seventh nationally. The Lady Chaps produced a 27.7 scoring margin advantage per game in conference play.

NO FOUL PLAY
The Lady Chaps rank 12th in the nation in fouls per game, with a conference-leading average of 14.2 fouls per game. Fouls have led LCU to outscoring their opponents 12.9 – 9.9 in points a game from the free-throw line. On Mar. 7 at the conference tournament, LCU allowed two free-throw attempts to Texas A&M International, which was the lowest amount during the 16-year coaching tenure of Steve Gomez at LCU. The Lady Chaps have shot over 80% from the free-throw line in 12 games this season and they have a mark of 73.9% on the season (second in the Heartland Conference). Olivia Robertson leads the team (of qualified attempts), shooting 88.2% (120/136) from the line to lead the conference (14^th nationally). 

FROM THE FIELD
Lubbock Christian continues to rank in the top-10 nationally in shooting, ranking fourth nationally with a 48.5% field goal shooting percentage. LCU has shot at least 41.9% in all but four games this season and have hit the .500 plateau on 12 occasions, including nine of their last 18 games. They are shooting 48.1% this season in neutral site 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. Both Chitsey sisters also claimed All-Conference honors this season.

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 101 assists (3.0 per game), with Caitlyn Cunyus (81, 2.8), Olivia Robertson (77, 2.3) and Bobbi Chitsey (68, 2.1) also playing a role in the ball distribution. LCU averages 16.1 assists (leads the Heartland Conference and ranks 23^rd nationally) on 26.0 field goals per game. LCU has 548 assists (leads the conference), ranking 13^th nationally in the category.

MAD HOUSE
Inside player Maddi Chitsey has had the hot-hand for LCU, posting at least 10 points in 16 of the last 17 games (averaging 16.1 points per game over the last 17 games). In their last three-game road swing of the regular season, Maddi produced a 17.0-point and 6.7-rebounding average. She returned home for the regular season finale and posted 17 points. The shooting numbers continued into the postseason and in Tulsa, where she set LCU's Heartland Conference Tournament single-tournament scoring average mark with an average of 20.3 points. Chitsey is also averaging 6.3 rebounds per game over the prior 15 games and is a combined 13-of-27 (48.1%) over the past 11 games from three-point range.

NEUTRALIZING THINGS
The Lady Chaps are 6-1 this season in neutral court play. They went 1-1 at the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic in San Antonio, Texas and then defeated Simon Fraser at the Holiday Hoops Classic in Bellingham, Wash. (Dec. 18, 2018) before going 4-0 in postseason neutral site games (3-0 at the Heartland Conference Tournament in Tulsa). Three Lady Chaps average at least 10 points a game in neutral site play, with Maddi Chitsey (15.7) and Olivia Robertson (13.3) leading the way.

BOARD GAMES
The Lady Chaps rank seventh in the Heartland Conference in rebounds per game (34.4, which ranks 262^nd of 301 Division II programs), but they lead the Heartland Conference in rebounding margin with a mark of 6.8 (28^th nationally). Olivia Robertson leads LCU with 216 rebounds (6.4 per game). LCU has only been out-rebounded three times over the prior 31 games.

DOWNTOWN
The Lady Chaps rank 13^th nationally with 270 three-pointers on the season and is third with a shooting mark of 39.4% from long range. Allie Schulte leads the team, hitting three-pointers at a pace of 51.4% on the season (56/109), with 56 three-pointers ranking fifth in the conference.
 
SENIOR SALUTE
Seniors Olivia Robertson and Bobbi Chitsey are playing in their final postseason 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 topped 1,000 career points on Mar. 15 and has 1,054 career points in 121 games, with 527 career rebounds. Chitsey has appeared in 119 career games and has 864 career points, with 403 boards. The pair of seniors, who are each All-Conference selections this season, have a four-year record of 114-17 (87.0%), which includes a closing out a 57-5 conference record, and they are 58-0 in home games.
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT UNG
- University of North Georgia qualified with an automatic bid after claiming the Peach Belt Tournament title. They are 30-4 on the season (19-3 finish in conference play) after a Southeast Region Championship Game win over Lander (73-62).
- The Nighthawks went 29-5 last season, with a 19-3 mark in Peach Belt Conference play.
- UNG is making their first Elite Eight Tournament in program history. Like LCU, UNG is a former NAIA member.
- The Nighthawks rank fourth nationally in rebounds (1,482) and fifth in rebound margin (9.9).  
- Julianne Sutton ranks 18^th nationally in field goal shooting percentage with a mark of 56.2% on the season.

THE SERIES AGAINST UNG
LCU and North Georgia have never faced each other all-time. The Lady Chaps are 1-0 all-time against Georgia based programs, as they defeated Clayton State on Nov. 27, 2015.