LUBBOCK, Texas (December 11, 2020) – Ashton Duncan had No.3 Lubbock Christian University breaking records to open the much anticipated 2020-21 season. She matched a program single-game record with a Rip Griffin Center record eight three-pointers and finished with a career-high 26 points to lead LCU to an 88-52 win over St. Mary's to also open up Lone Star Conference play Friday night. The win was LCU's 79^th consecutive home win, which actively leads all NCAA programs.
 
Duncan was 8-of-12 from long range, breaking Ginger Armacost's mark of seven three-pointers against Wayland Baptist on Jan. 8, 2001 inside "The Rip." Bailey Haist now has company sitting atop the LCU single-game records, as she became the first Lady Chap to nail eight three-pointers in a game. Haist's feat was completed on Jan. 2, 2017 at Texas A&M International in Laredo, Texas.
 
Along with Duncan, six other Lady Chaps had at least one three-pointer in the contest, as LCU connected on 15-of-29 (51.7%) three-point attempts. The 15 treys was three off matching the program single-game mark and it was their most since hitting 15 on Feb. 23, 2019 against Oklahoma Christian.
 
LCU long-distance success started early. They hit six three-pointers in the opening quarter, with four dialed in by Duncan. They were 6-of-9 in the quarter, with 18 of their 28 points in the quarter coming from downtown.
 
The Lady Chaps trailed 5-3, but then went 13-of-18 from the field. They did not have consecutive misses during the span of 18 shots, and eight of the first 10 made field goals (of the stretch) were from three-point range. LCU had a 14-0 run in the first quarter and also ended the quarter on a 25-5 run.
 
Duncan's hot outside shooting overshadowed the balanced offense by the Lady Chaps. LCU posted 30 assists in the game and assisted on 30 of 33 field goals in the contest. The 30 assists were the most since they had 31 at UT Permian Basin on Feb. 20, 2016. Twelve different Lady Chaps had at least one assist in the game. Forward Juliana Robertson led LCU with eight assists in the game, and all eight were in the first half.
 
Head Coach Steve Gomez, in a rarity, had a starting lineup of five seniors. Robertson was in the mix on the assist side, while Duncan (20 points) and Allie Schulte (15 points) combined for 35 points in the first half. Their efforts provided LCU a 47-26 halftime lead.
 
LCU outscored StMU 16-6 to start the second half and LCU's lead was extended to 29. The lead allowed fresh faces and some new combinations of players to enter the fray. LCU had 13 points off turnovers in the quarter and took a 69-40 lead into the final quarter.
 
Savannah Sumrall came off the bench and connected on a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping LCU go 7-of-11 (63.6%) from long range in the second half. The Lady Chaps outscored the Rattlers 19-12 in the fourth quarter, with 17 of the 19 points produced by the bench (bench was 7-of-13 from the field in the quarter).
 
LCU shot 55.9% (33/59) from the field, while holding StMU to a 24.2% (15/62) shooting percentage. The Rattlers (0-1, 0-1) received 18 points from Mya Culiver in the loss. Her and Hannah Wilson (13 points) made up 60% of the team's offense.
 
The Lady Chaps received offensive production from 12 different players. Duncan and Schulte (15 points) were the only Lady Chaps in double figures in points. Robertson had a quality performance, with nine points, eight assists (career high) and a plus/minus of +32 in 21 minutes of play. Emma Middleton contributed seven points and matched a career-high in blocks with four. LCU finished with 12 blocks, which was their highest mark since 13 blocks against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Dec. 7, 2017. LCU also outscored StMU 28-3 in points off turnovers.
 
The victory for LCU (1-0, 1-0) placed them with a 28-14 all-time mark in season openers and 12-6 in openers under Gomez. LCU also improved to 16-2 in conference openers under Gomez. The 36-point margin, in the victory, was the most for LCU in an opener since a 98-46 win over Texas College in their 2013-14 season opener.
 
The meeting was the 20^th all-time meeting between LCU and StMU. LCU improved to 17-3 in the series and they have eight straight wins. The 36-point margin of victory was the highest in the all-time series and the Lady Chaps have a 25.3 average margin of victory in the current win streak.
 
TURNING POINT
Down 5-3 just over three minutes into the game, Ashton Duncan hit her first three-pointer and jumpstarted a 14-0 run to rush out to a 17-5 advantage. LCU connected on four field goals during the run and three were three-pointers by Duncan.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU dressed 15 players, and all 15 not only played, but no player played less than five minutes in the contest. Four of LCU's five new freshman saw the floor and made their LCU and collegiate debut. The freshman combined to go 7-of-11 (63.6%) from the field, with Audrey Robertson hitting all three of her field goal attempts and finishing with six points.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The two teams meet again at 5:30 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center. It will be the only game inside Rip Griffin Center, as the men's basketball game (originally scheduled to follow the women's game) was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.