COLUMBUS, Ohio (Mach. 27, 2019) – No.5-seed Lubbock Christian University was able to overcome 29 turnovers with a 62.5% shooting percentage inside the arc, and the No.24/25 Lady Chaparrals upset No.1 Drury 69-60 to advance to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship Game.  LCU will go for their second NCAA National Title Friday at 6 p.m. (Central) against No.2 Southwestern Oklahoma State University inside Alumni Hall.
 
LCU was able to overcome the defensive obstacles by a Drury squad entering the game forcing 1,079 turnovers on the season. They did with a defense of their own. The Lady Chaps held the Lady Panthers to shoot 36.2% from the field and forced them into 22 turnovers. There were 51 combined turnovers in the game. LCU's 29 were the most since producing 31 at Tarleton State on Nov. 18, 2010. 
 
Drury opened the game 2-of-3 from the field and had a 4-0 lead, but would then go nearly eight minutes without a field goal and closed the quarter making one field goal on the final nine attempts of the quarter. Meanwhile, LCU would go on a 12-0 run, which included a LCU having a stretch in which they were 4-of-5 form the field with three of the field goals from Maddi Chitsey. Chitsey tallied six points in the first quarter and LCU led 12-8 at the close of the quarter.
 
Drury converted on turnovers in the second quarter (10-5 scoring advantage in points off turnovers) and LCU was unable to pull away despite 5-of-7 shooting from inside the arc in the arc. LCU did receive production from Olivia Robertson, who tallied eight points in the quarter nd helped LCU to a 27-22 halftime lead.
 
Allie Schulte opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers and LCU opened the second half making their first five shot attempts. The string of successful makes helped LCU expand the lead to 43-32 with 4:29 left in the quarter. An 8-2 run capped by a Julianne Robertson put-back off her own miss pushed the LCU lead to 47-32 with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
 
LCU led 50-39 to start the fourth quarter and their lead was quickly tested. An 8-2 run by Drury cut LCU's lead to 52-47 4:31 into the fourth quarter. LCU was able to keep their distance by success from the free-throw line. The Lady Chaps opened the game 15-of-15 from the free-throw line garnered 11 points from the line in the fourth quarter. Drury was unable to get a strong rally going late, closing the game 4-of-17 (23.5%) over the final 6:46 of the game.
 
Maddi Chitsey was one of four Lady Chaps in double figures offensively. She led LCU with 17 points. Olivia Robertson (15 points), Allie Schulte (13 points) and Bobbi Chitsey (11 points) also contributed for the Lady Chaps. Bobbi Chitsey was 9-of-10 from the free-throw line for LCU. LCU was 52.4% from the field. They struggled outside (2-of-10, 20%), but made up for it with their 62.5% shooting inside the arc. LCU also outrebounded Drury 31-28, with Robertson leading LCU with seven rebounds.
 
Drury had their potential dream season end with a 35-1 record. WBCA Division II Player of the Year Hailey Diestelkamp led all scorers with 18 points and also posted seven boards. Paige Robinson also provided the Lady Panthers with 10 points.
 
LCU (31-5) advances to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Game for the second time in program history and LCU is making their second trip in a four-year span (this is LCU's fourth season eligible for NCAA postseason play). They play Southwestern Oklahoma State, who they fell to 77-75 on Dec. 3 in Weatherford, Okla. The championship game will remain in Columbus, Ohio Friday at Alumni Hall.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's starting unit had a +15 plus/minus rating and was on the floor for 19:11 of the game. Late, due to foul trouble on Maddi Chitsey and Allie Schulte and an injury to Olivia Robertson on an explosive loose ball collision, LCU had to rely on valuable contributions to their bench. Juliana Robertson (8 points, 6 rebounds), Madelyn Turner (2 points, steal and rebound) and Kailin Davis (rebound and steal) each played a valuable role during a span of 3:32 of the fourth quarter in which LCU did not have all their starters on the floor.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
As awful as it sounds that LCU produced 29 turnovers, the number was below the average of turnovers forced per game by Drury. The Lady Panthers average forcing 30.8 turnovers per game. Despite Drury having a 29-22 advantage in turnovers forced, they only outscored LCU 24-19 in the points-off-turnovers category.
   
WHAT'S NEXT
Friday's championship game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. (Central) tip inside Alumni Hall. The game will air live on CBS Sports Network and on 100.7 FM The Score.