FRISCO, Texas (March 7, 2020) – No.6 Lubbock Christian University (No.3-seed) utilized their guard play to maintain a double figure lead and helped the Lady Chaparrals to a 59-46 Semifinals victory over No.17 West Texas A&M Saturday inside Comerica Center. With the win, LCU advances to the tournament Championship Game Sunday at 1 p.m. (facing top-seeded No.7 Texas A&M-Commerce) with an LSC Championship title on the line, along with an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament.
 
LCU's defensive presence was felt early, as West Texas A&M missed their first seven field goal attempts (the first four attempts were from three-point range). Maddi Chitsey had a pair of early field goals to help LCU take a 9-3 lead with 5:47 remaining in the opening half. LCU held WT to two field goals in the game's opening 6:46 and led 13-5. The Lady Buffs offense finally found a rhythm in the final three minutes of the first quarter and went on a 7-3 run to cut LCU's lead to 16-12 at the close of the quarter.
 
The 7-3 run turned into an eventual 12-3 run and WT took a 17-16 lead 90 seconds into the second quarter. Allie Schulte responded less than 30 seconds later with a three-pointer to recapture the lead for LCU. Her three-pointer was followed by a trey from Caitlyn Cunyus and pair of free throws from Laynee Burr to complete an 8-0 run (LCU's largest run of the game). Cunyus (nine points) and Schulte (eight points) combined for 17 points in the opening half, as LCU had a 32-24 halftime lead.
 
The Lady Chaps opened the second half on a 13-3 run, fueled by a pair of three-pointers from Ashton Duncan. Schulte connected on a three-pointer to cap the run and put LCU up 45-27 for their largest lead of the game (6:41 remaining in the third quarter).
 
LCU's offensive went stagnant for a four-minute span in which they did not score a point. WT did not fully take advantage of the dry spell. They were 5-of-10 from the free-throw line and had two field goals during a 10-2 run, which sent the game into the fourth quarter with LCU up 47-37. Schulte hit another momentum-halting three-pointer, and this was one was the opening bucket of the fourth quarter. LCU opened the quarter on a 7-3 run and never let their lead dip into single digits. The Lady Chaps defense held WT to a 28.6% (4/14) shooting mark in the final quarter and LCU held their lead.
 
Schulte (14 points), Cunyus (13 points), Duncan (nine points) and Burr (nine points) were LCU's leading scorers and all are guards. LCU's inside success was measured in rebounds, with Emma Middleton collecting a game-high nine rebounds. The Lady Chaps had to overcome a 15-9 disadvantage in fouls, but WT did not take benefit off the free-throw line in the game (8/14, 57.1%). Meanwhile, LCU was 9-of-10 (90%) from the line in the game.  
 
WT, forced into 17 turnovers, shot 32.7% (16/49) from the field. Delaney Nix hit four three-pointers and led WT with 14 points. Abby Spurgin also poured in 12 points. The Lady Buffs fell to 27-6 on the season.
 
The Lady Chaps (27-3) will now appear in the LSC Championship title game as first-year members. Spending their prior four postseason-eligible seasons in the Heartland Conference, LCU is making it to a conference tournament championship game for a fifth consecutive season (LCU is 3-1 in those contests). LCU will face an A&M-Commerce squad that is making it to their second tournament championship game in program history. The Lions last championship game was in 2007 (they won the game). The winner of Sunday's game has the lead-shot at hosting the regional tournament.
 
TURNING POINT
Allie Schulte had a pair of key three-pointers to end WT offensive runs. Her first, which helped LCU regain the lead two minutes into the second quarter, opened a series in which LCU went 9-of-15 from the field over an 11-minute stretch. The last field goal of the span was a three-pointer by Schulte to put LCU up 45-27.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU led by at least 10 points over the game's final 19:16. Even with a 7-0 run, WT was unable to threaten LCU's lead. LCU's defense held WT to 28.6% (4-of-14) shooting over the final quarter.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Sunday at 1 p.m. inside Comerica Center, LCU and A&M-Commerce meet for a second time this season (TAMUC won the prior meeting 59-54 on Jan. 30 in Commerce, Texas). The winner will be titled LSC Champions.