COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 26, 2019) – No.24/25 and No.5-seed Lubbock Christian University shot a season-high 62.3% from the field behind a career-matching 28-point performance from Maddi Chitsey, and the Lady Chaparrals rolled to a 99-54 quarterfinal victory over No.20 and No.4-seed North Georgia Tuesday night at the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Elite Eight Tournament at Alumni Hall. The Lady Chaps advance to the semifinals and face Drury at 7:30 p.m. (Central) Wednesday night.
 
Maddi Chitsey was a force inside for LCU. She was 11-of-12 from the field, with six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a 32 plus/minus in 21 minutes of playing time. Her 11-of-12 from the field ranks as the second-most in Heartland Conference history (with at least 10 attempts) and it matches a program-high under 16^th-year head coach Steve Gomez set by Brittany Blackmon on Nov. 10, 2018 (against University of Southwest). Chitsey's 3-for-3 from long range matched a career high. Her total of 28 points matched a career high and was the highest in program history for an NCAA postseason game, topping Kelsey Hoppel's 27 points in the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship against Alaska Anchorage.
The production from the junior from Wall, Texas included 13 points in the first quarter of play, as she connected on her first five field goal attempts in the game. LCU used an 11-0 run, part of a 17-2 run, and shot 76.5% (13-of-17) in the quarter to take a 32-14 lead.
 
LCU's offense was hot throughout the game. They scored at least 21 points in every quarter and shot at least 47.1% in every quarter. Chitsey was 9-of-10 from the field in the first half and had 22 points at the break for a 53-28 halftime lead.
 
The Lady Chaps built the lead and went mostly with their reserves the second half. They received 30 points from their bench in the game, and 23 came in the second. Every Lady Chap in the lineup had at least a point in the game. LCU converted on a season-high 38 field goals and their 62.7% shooting mark from the floor was also a season-high.
 
Along with their highest scoring output in a game this season, LCU's numbers also included 13 three-pointers (four players with at least two three-pointers), 42 rebounds (+14 rebounding margin) and 25 assists. Juliana Robertson tied a career high with a team-leading seven rebounds. Of their 25 assists, Olivia Robertson registered a career high (seven assists) and Caitlyn Cunyus tied a career-high mark with six assists.
 
LCU had three players in double figures. Olivia Robertson (14 points) and Allie Schulte (12 points) joined Maddi Chitsey, who has a combined 54 points in her past two games.
 
North Georgia, held to 32.3% shooting in the game, has their season end at 30-5. They received 16 points from Abbie Franklin, 11 points from Julianne Sutton and 10 points from Vanessa Agrusa.
 
LCU, playing their first-ever game on Ohio soil, will remain in Columbus and will face top-seeded Drury Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. (Central) inside Alumni Hall. LCU's record improved to 30-5 on the season, providing them with back-to-back seasons of at least 30 wins for the first time in program history.    
 
TURNING POINT
Tied at 9-9 (just under three minutes into the game), LCU head coach Steve Gomez made the decision to change defenses, and LCU responded with an 8-0 run. The Nighthawks shot 46.2% in the first quarter, but did not shoot better than 33% in any of the remaining three quarters.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU's 45-point margin of victory was LCU's biggest win margin in an NCAA postseason game. The Lady Chaps are 13-1 all-time in postseason play since joining the NCAA.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Less than 24 hours after defeating North Georgia, LCU has to hit the hardwood against No.1 Drury, who is 35-0 after defeating Nova Southeastern 91-60 with a 38-15 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers after forcing Nova into 40 turnovers. They also had a 21-4 advantage in second-chance-points.  LCU and Drury meeting Wednesday evening in a game which will be televised on CBS Sports Network and will also air on Double-T 97.3 FM.