TWO STARVING TEAMS OPEN DIVISION PLAY
No.3 Lubbock Christian University and then-No.9 Texas A&M-Commerce were heading into last week as the only unbeaten teams in the Lone Star Conference and in the South Central Region (of teams that had played) and scheduled for a pair of games, but the two teams never played due to COVID-19 testing procedures that allowed TAMUC to opt out from playing the game. TAMUC went on to play at Midwestern State and LCU was unable to find an opponent on short notice and weather concerns. Moving on to this week, LCU and Angelo State meet for the first West Division games of the season. The two-games-in-three-nights home-and-home series gets underway Thursday in San Angelo (5:30 p.m.) and the two teams will follow up Saturday (2 p.m.) inside Rip Griffin Center. Angelo State has yet to play a game this season, while LCU has played half (4) of their originally scheduled eight games.

UNPATRIOTIC
LCU, which has not played at home since Dec. 12, 2020 completed their first road trip of the season Jan. 2-3, claiming a 73-26 and 69-48 win in Tyler, Texas over UT Tyler. LCU's defense held the Patriots to 28.1% shooting from the field in the two games, with a mark under 18% in Saturday's 47-point victory. Offensively, LCU was led by Allie Schulte (17.5 points per game), who was one of seven players that averaged at least 5.0 points per game in the series.
 
LCU (2-0 in road play this season) has won seven consecutive road games, which is tied for the seventh-longest active streak in NCAA Division II (Drury has won 27 straight road contests). They went 9-3 in road tilts last season, with Schulte (11.4) and Ashton Duncan (10.7) averaging double figures on the road.   

NICE SHOOTING TEX
Allie Schulte led LCU with a balanced effort on both ends of the floor at UTT. She led LCU averaging 17.5 points per game, completing the task in an average of 21 minutes on the floor in LCU's pair of decisive victories. The senior guard had 15 points in a 47-point victory (73-26) on Saturday, and followed with 20 points in a 69-48 win, as she combined to go 12-of-16 (.750) from the floor and 8-of-11 (.727) from long-range. LCU opened each game on an 11-0 run, and Saturday, Schulte had three three-pointers in the run to jumpstart a career-high effort of six three-pointers. She was 6-of-7 from long range in the performance. Defensively, Schulte led LCU with 6.0 rebounds per game and also combined for two blocks and three steals. She was a +49 in plus/minus on the week (+31 on Jan. 2), and part of a defensive unit that held UTT to 28.1% shooting on the weekend.

STEALING THE SHOW
LCU enters the week ranked 58^th in NCAA Division II in steals (48) and is 14^th in steals per game (12.0). The Lady Chaps had 17 steals on Jan. 3 at UTT, for their highest total since 17 on January 10, 2019, and it placed LCU with at least 10 steals in three consecutive games for the first time since February of 2019. If LCU can extend it to four consecutive games, it would be the first time LCU has completed the task since they had six straight games of at least 10 steals in February of 2016. Allie Schulte leads the team in steals (9) and averages 2.25 per game to rank ninth in the LSC.
 
LONG DISTANCE CALLS
LCU was 12-of-35 on Jan. 3 from three-point range (34.3%) in Tyler. Allie Schulte was 6-of-7 from three-point range, while the rest of the team combined to go 6-of-28 (21.4%). The 35 three-point attempts was LCU's highest mark since Mar. 11, 2016 (37 attempts vs. Angelo State). LCU ranks 23^rd nationally with a conference-leading 47 three-pointers, ranking second nationally with 11.8 per game. The Lady Chaps success rate of 41.2% shooting from outside is 11th nationally. Ashton Duncan leads LCU with 14 three-pointers (46^th nationally and is second in the LSC), ranking 11th nationally with a conference-best rate of 3.5 per game. Schulte ranks third nationally and leads the conference with a shooting percentage of 69.2%, and Duncan ranks fourth in the conference at 42.4%. Eleven (11) different Lady Chaps have at least one three-pointer on the season.

2020 IS IN THE BOOKS
The 2020 calendar year was a good one for the Lady Chaps (pushing COVID-19 matters aside). In the year LCU claimed their first LSC Championship title, the Lady Chaps went 19-3 (86.4%) in games played during the 2020 calendar year. LCU had a 22-1 (95.7%) record for all games played in 2020, and they went 29-5 (85.3%) in 2019, 26-5 (83.9%) in 2017, 29-10 (74.4%) in 2016 and 24-4 (85.7%) in 2015.

THROWING STONES
A look at upcoming milestones on the horizon for Lady Chap members:
-Allie Schulte needs 74 points to reach 1000 career points.
-She ranks third nationally in Division II active players in career games played with 104.
-Ashton Duncan needs a point to reach 500 career points.
-She needs 19 three-pointers to reach 150 career three-pointers.

NATIONALLY KNOWN
Only one of the two national associations conducting national top-25 preseason polls for NCAA Division II women's basketball conducted a preseason poll this season. D2SIDA conducted a preseason poll, and has Lubbock Christian University as the Preseason No.3 ranked program entering the 2020-2021 season. The first in-season D2SIDA poll was released this week, with LCU remaining No.3 nationally. The WBCA Top-25 Poll is scheduled to begin this month.
 
LCU has found their way into the D2SIDA preseason poll seven consecutive seasons, marking every season they have been eligible to appear (due to the transfer from NAIA to NCAA Div. II), ranking No.1 (2019-20), No.3 (2018-19), No.23 (2017-18), No. 4 (2016-17), No.15 (2015-16) and receiving votes in 2014-15. The Lady Chaps received one of the 16 first-place votes, and was the only school other that preseason favorite, Drury, to receive a first-place vote.
 
The D2SIDA polls are voted on by a committee of sports information directors at Division II member institutions nationwide. LCU, the preseason Lone Star Conference favorites, was the top team slated in the South Central Region D2SIDA Top-10 rankings, and the only program nationally to receive all six first-place votes from within their own region.

KEEP IN MIND
The Lone Star Conference announced it will use a point rating system to determine its men's and women's basketball standings this year due to COVID-19 related schedule adjustments.
 
The point rating system will replace winning percentage for the LSC's basketball conference standings, divisional standings and conference tournament seeding in 2020-21. 
 
The system assigns a numerical value to game results depending on the site and quality of the opponent. Teams will earn more points for a win on the road or at home against top competition based on conference winning percentage and receive fewer points for a win against lesser opposition. Points are also dispersed for losses, with more points awarded for a loss against stronger competition. 
 
Each week, the team ratings will be determined by taking the total points divided by league games played with the opponents winning percentage updated throughout the year.

The LSC will publish the point rating system rankings in mid-January and post weekly updates for the rest of the season.
 
The change will help offset an unbalanced league schedule and games canceled due to COVID-19.  Typically, the LSC slate includes games against all other league teams but this year is using a modified "bubble" schedule format to enhance student-athlete safety with regard to COVID-19 and reduce the amount of contact amongst teams by playing the same opponent twice during the week.
 
The conference tournament will consist of the top eight men's and women's teams with first-round games on-campus on Tuesday, March 2 followed by the four winning teams advancing to the final site at the highest remaining seed on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6.
 
LSC POINT RATING SYSTEM
Points shall be awarded for each conference contest played:
7 points – win over a .750 or better team on the road
6.5 points – win over a .750 or better team at home
6 points – win over a .500 or better team on the road
5 points – win over a .500 or better team at home
4.5 points – win over a .250 or better team on the road
4 points – win over a .250 team or better at home
3.5 points – win over an under .250 team on the road
3 points – win over an under .250 team at home
2.5 points – loss at home or on the road to a .750 or better team
2 points – loss to a .500 or better team at home or on the road
1 point – loss to a .250 or better team at home or on the road
.5 points – loss to an under .250 team on the road
0 points – loss to an under .250 team at home
 
COVID AND VIEWING OPTIONS
LCU opens the week in San Angelo, where capacity at the Junell Center (6,500) will be limited to 50%.
 
COVID-19 regulations by LCU will have the Rip Griffin Center at 50% capacity. All home game ticket and spectator policies are subject to change on a game-by-game basis. For games allowing fans, a limited number of tickets are available (admission covers both men's and women's games on that date) to the general public on www.lcuchaps.com/tickets.
 
Each game will be broadcast on the LSC Digital Network as an option for fans unable to attend. The Lone Star Conference have a new hybrid pricing model for the LSC Digital Network this season. The broadcasts of volleyball and men's and women's basketball games will be available via pay-per-view (PPV) conference-wide under the new model. Fans can purchase a $10 daily pass that will give them access to all LSC football, volleyball and basketball contests on the network that day, as well as access to previously aired games from the current season for 24 hours. In addition to live and archived streaming options, viewers will have the option to purchase and download games from the 2020-21 season for $10 each. Select games of all other sports carried on the LSC Digital Network will be available free-to-view (FTV) or PPV at the discretion of the broadcasting institution. The LSC Digital Network is in its second year showcasing the academic and athletic events of the league and its 18 member institutions. Fans can watch games and purchase passes online at  www.lonestarconferencenetwork.com or www.lcuchaps.com/live on computer and mobile devices. Viewers can also tune in to games on the LSC Digital Network via OTT apps available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku by searching for "LSC Digital Network."
 
WHEN AT HOME
LCU went 13-0 last season inside Rip Griffin Center. They enter Saturday's play with their active home win streak sitting at 80 games, which ranks third all-time in NCAA Division II women's basketball (it actively leads all of NCAA). The record is 87 consecutive home victories by Nebraska-Kearney, who completed the task from Jan. 31, 1995 - Nov. 24, 2001. LCU's last home loss came on Jan. 1, 2015 against Oklahoma City University. LCU, who also has a 7-0 mark in NCAA postseason play in Lubbock in the mix, has also won 68 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring Jan. 10, 2013 (against Oklahoma City). They completed a 49-0 all-time mark in Heartland Conference home games (they are 15-0 in LSC home games).
 
NCAA DIVISION II'S LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS
87 - Neb.-Kearney Jan. 31, 1995-Nov. 24, 2001
85 - West Tex. A&M Jan. 9, 1987-Dec. 6, 1991
80 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 -->
 
NCAA'S ACTIVE-LEADING HOME WIN STREAKS 
80 – LCU (Division II)
61 – Baylor (Division I)
58 – Drury (Division II)
30 – North Georgia (Division II)
30 – Messiah (Division III)
 
MORE ON THE HOME FRONT
Ashton Duncan leads LCU at home this season, averaging 17 points per game. Allie Schulte also averages double figures at home, with an average of 13.0 points per home contest. LCU has a 13-1 advantage in blocks at home and they have held opponents to 31.7% shooting. The Lady Chaps are shooting 51.3% on the Rip Griffin Center floor this season, with a 48% shooting mark from outside.
 
BLOCKS ARE BACK
Since their first season as official NCAA Division II members (2015-16), LCU has ranked at least 12^th or better in total blocks (led the nation in 15-16 and ranked second in 17-18) in each season of play and have ranked in the top-14 in four of the five seasons in blocks per game (led the nation in 15-16 and 16-17). This season, LCU looks as if they may keep the trend continuing. They currently rank 16th in blocks (26) and are fourth in blocks per game (6.5), ranking second in the LSC in each category. Emma Middleton (7, fifth in the conference and 44^th nationally), Whitney Cox and Juliana Robertson (6, tied for eighth in the conference) place LCU with three players in the top-10 in the LSC in blocks. Middleton also ranks fifth in the LSC and 33rd nationally with 1.75 blocks per game.
 
DISTRIBUTION
With a mark of 1.46, LCU ranks sixth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio. LCU's 21.5 assists per game leads the nation, with team leader Juliana Robertson averaging 4.2 per game to rank 58^th nationally and third in the conference. Allie Schulte is not far behind, ranking fifth in the conference with a mark of 3.8 per game. Channing Cunyus (2.3) and Ashton Duncan (2.2) are also averaging over 2.0 assists per game. LCU ranks 46^th nationally in turnovers per game (second in the LSC) with a mark of 14.8 per game (they rank 19^th in turnovers forced and 11^th in turnover margin).
 
LAST LINE OF DEFENSE
Along with ranking 10^th nationally in steals per game, LCU's defense is holding opponents to 43.2 points per game (ranks third nationally). From the floor, opponents are shooting 30.0% (fifth nationally) and 28% from three-point range (37^th nationally).  

FIVE THINGS ABOUT ASU
1 > The Belles are coming off an 18-10 season in 2019-20, finishing 14-8 in the Lone Star Conference and 5-5 in the division to finish tied for third in the division with LCU. They went 9-4 at home last season and 8-5 in road contests.
2 > ASU has reason to circle any contest on the schedule involving LCU. Angelo State had their season end with losses to LCU in 2018 and 2019, and in three of the past four seasons leading into the NCAA Division II South Central Regional in Lubbock, which COVID-19 canceled the opening round contest pitting LCU and Angelo State.
3 > Angelo State was preseason picked fourth in the LSC Preseason Poll. They are in the same division as LCU (West), which also includes Midwestern State, UT Permian Basin and West Texas A&M.
4 > The Belles lost 87-42 to Texas Tech in a Dec. 9 exhibition game. Lana Marov led ASU with 14 points, connecting on three long distance shots.
5 > ASU has had seven games postponed and one game canceled, which has led the Belles heading into Thursday's contest 0-0.

THE SERIES AGAINST ASU
LCU leads the series with a 13-3 all-time mark. LCU swept the regular season meetings last season before defeating the Belles in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Championships in Frisco, Texas. The two teams have met eight times since 2012, but had not met since Nov. 30, 2001 prior to that. The last ASU win in the series was their victory on Dec. 29, 2000, as LCU has won nine consecutive meetings.

ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. ASU
Here is a look at LCU's top three active leaders career vs. ASU:

Allie Schulte 5gp – 11.0 pts/g, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals
Ashton Duncan 4gp – 11.0 pts/g, 10/19 (52.6%) 3-pt fg
Emma Middleton 3gp – 8.7 pts/g, 4.7 rebounds, 52.4% fg%

PREVIOUS RECAP VS. ASU
Mar. 5, 2020 (Frisco, Texas) - ASU:65 - LCU:91
Madelyn Turner's career-high 18 points and the combination of play by sisters Caitlyn and Channing Cunyus fueled a 57.4% shooting performance, which helped No.6 and No.3-seed Lubbock Christian University to a 91-65 Quarterfinals victory over No.6-seed Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference Championship inside Comerica Center.

Turner had half the points of a 14-2 LCU run, which gave LCU a 27-15 lead three minutes into the second quarter. ASU answered with a 12-0 run and tied the game 27-27. Just when it appeared that the Belles were going to surge past the Lady Chaps, the Cunyus sisters took over the game. Caitlyn ended a three-minute LCU scoring drought with an old-fashioned three-point play. The play was the start of a 15-2 run to help LCU take a 42-31 lead into the locker room. Caitlin had 10 of the points during the run and finished the half leading LCU's offense. She combined with Channing for 18 points in the quarter and in the half. Channing's first three-pointer in the quarter was assisted by Caitlin for her 300th career assist.

Caitlyn was not done in the second half. She helped LCU open the half in a 5-0 run with a three-pointer. She later had a layup before Turner scored eight straight points for LCU, with a pair of three-pointers in the mix. Cunyus finished the quarter with seven points and her and Turner helped LCU take a 63-48 lead into the fourth quarter.

LCU's first three field goals of the fourth quarter were three-pointers. Turner connected on the opening trey before Ashton Duncan nailed back-to-back three-pointers. The pair's long distance success led to a 21-0 run and built LCU's lead to 36 points (84-48). ASU attempted to rally with a 9-0 run, but LCU's 76.9% (10-of-13) shooting from field in the quarter was too much. LCU had a string of five consecutive three-point field goals in the quarter, as they produced 28 points in the quarter.

The Lady Chaps finished the game 57.4% (35/61) from the field for their second-best shooting mark of the season. Included in the mix was a season-best 56.5% (13-of-23) shooting mark from three-point range (13 three-pointers were a season high). Turner was 7-of-11 from the field and led all Lady Chaps with her career-high 18 points. Caitlyn Cunyus finished with 17 points and Channing posted a +30 plus/minus in 14 minutes of play. LCU also received 11 points from Ashton Duncan and 10 points from Allie Schulte.

ASU was led by De-Anira Moore, who finished with 26 points. Catara Samuel was the only other Belles member in double figures offensively (13 points).