OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (February 15, 2020) – Maddi Chitsey had 18 points in the first half, which was part of a 65.5% shooting performance in the first half for No.9 Lubbock Christian University, and her performance helped guide LCU to an 81-57 win over Oklahoma Christian in Lone Star Conference play inside Eagles' Nest Saturday afternoon.
 
LCU did not miss many shots in the opening half of play. They made their opening six shot attempts and eight of their first nine shots, while OC made one of their first 11 attempts, which included eight consecutive misses. The Lady Chaps opened the game on a 23-4 run, which included a 12-0 and 17-2 run in the mix. Chitsey was 5-of-6 from the field in the quarter with 11 points. She also posted five rebounds and a trio of assists in the frame, as LCU led 23-7 at the quarter's completion.
 
All of a sudden OC found their offense with two minutes left in the first quarter. After their 1-of-11 start, OC went on a stretch in which they made 9-of-12 shots over a ten-minute span. LCU was fortunate to match the pace. The Lady Chaps were 11-of-18 in the same span, as the two teams combined for 49 points in the second quarter (27-22 edge by LCU). Inside the final two minutes of the first half, LCU closed the half on a 9-3 run for a 50-29 advantage.
 
LCU was 19-of-29 (65.5%) from the field in the first half, with Chitsey going 7-of-8 for 18 points in the half. Caitlyn Cunyus and Allie Schulte (each with 10 points) also had double digits in points at the break. The two teams combined for 13 three-pointers in the half, with LCU making 8-of-13 from long range (61.5%). LCU also had a 17-9 rebound advantage.
 
The players took the court for the second half, but the hot shooting remained in the locker room. OC never made more than two consecutive shot attempts and LCU only had consecutive field goal makes once and it was a stretch of four straight makes midway through the third quarter. OC went six minutes without a field goal while LCU responded with a 13-1 run to build the lead to 63-33, which was the game's largest lead. The teams combined for seven field goals in the third quarter (they combined for 16 in the prior quarter). Two of LCU's four field goals in the quarter were three-pointers from Ashton Duncan. Her six points in the quarter contributed to LCU taking a 64-38 lead into the final quarter.
 
LCU went a 14-shot span in which they were 2-of-14 (14.3%) from the field. It included a five-minute span in the fourth quarter in which LCU went without a field goal, but OC could only outscore LCU 9-7 in the sequence (LCU had seven points from the free-throw line).
 
The Lady Chaps missed having a 50% shooting performance for a fifth straight game, as they were 49.1% (27/55) from the field. LCU was 10-of-19 (52.6%) from three-point range, with five different Lady Chaps connected with at least one three-pointer (including one by Juliana Robertson, which was her seventh career three-pointer).
 
Chitsey finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists. She was also +29 in plus/minus. Duncan, Cunyus and Schulte each had 11 points to aid the LCU offense. Despite a 17-15 disadvantage in turnovers, LCU outscored OC 20-14 in points-off-turnovers. LCU had a 43-26 advantage in rebounds, matching their largest rebound margin of the season.
 
OC finished the game 33.9% (19/56) from the field. Tyra Peck led the Lady Eagles with 13 points and Carolyne Lawley posted 11 points. The Lady Eagles fell to 7-15 on the season and 7-11 in LSC play.
 
LCU (21-3, 15-3) claimed their 18^th consecutive win over OC (the last OC win was Feb. 17, 2011). LCU's win was their fifth straight win overall on the season.
 
TURNING POINT
There was no point to turn, as right off the opening tip, it was all LCU. Caitlyn Cunyus connected with a three-pointer on LCU's opening shot attempt. Cunyus made another field goal, while Maddi Chitsey also made a pair, and Emma Middleton and Allie Schulte contributed one field goal in the opening 6-of-6 shooting sequence to start the game for LCU. OC was staring at a 13-point deficit eight minutes into the game as they registered their second field goal of the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
OC, entering the game leading the LSC in assists per game, was held to a season-low mark of eight assists. If that number stands as a season low, it would mark the fourth consecutive season in which OC's season-low mark in single-game assists occurred against LCU.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU returns home for their final regular season homestand of the season. They host Texas A&M International Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. tip inside Rip Griffin Center.