LUBBOCK, Texas (January 16, 2021) – No.3 Lubbock Christian University connected on 11 three-pointers in the opening half and used a 17-0 run in the first quarter to dash past Angelo State 77-46 for a Lone Star Conference West Division victory inside Rip Griffin Center, where LCU's home win streak was extended to 81 consecutive wins (leads all of NCAA women's basketball for active home win streaks).
 
LCU, playing in their first home game since December 12, 2020, took advantage of lost time entertaining a COVID-19 50%-capacity sellout crowd with hot shooting to start the game. Their first shot attempt did not fall, but after a Sadie Misner three-pointer provided a 3-0 lead for the Belles, LCU made five straight field goals, with Allie Schulte and Ashton Duncan connecting 26 seconds apart.
 
The sequence of made field goals led to a 17-0 LCU run, capped by Duncan's second three-pointer of the run. Duncan would connect on three three-pointers in the quarter, as LCU hit five in the quarter and led 25-10 at the end of the quarter.
 
The mark was topped in the second quarter. LCU made five consecutive field goal attempts and all five were from long distance. Schulte and Savannah Sumrall each had a pair, and Audrey Robertson also connected during the stretch. The first four came during a 12-0 run to put LCU's lead at 39-13 with 5:45 left in the half.
 
LCU made eight field goals in the quarter, and six consecutive made field goals were three-pointers. They finished with 11 in the half on 18 attempts for a 61.1% mark. Duncan was 4-of-5 and Schulte was 3-of-4 in the half, as LCU had a 47-22 halftime lead.
 
The Lady Chaps opted for close-range shot attempts in the second half, only firing away on three outside attempts in the quarter. As LCU gradually worked their bench into the contest, LCU would receive points from seven different players in the quarter, with eight points coming off the bench.    
 
The bench had a late spark in the third quarter, which drifted into the fourth quarter, as LCU went a seven-minute stretch in which they were 7-of-10 from the field. The sequence would contain all three of LCU's three-pointers of the second half (all from three different players). Sumrall had one of the three-pointers, and it provided LCU their largest lead of the game (68-30 with 8:46 left in the fourth quarter.
 
LCU would not fare well down the stretch, making two of their final nine shot attempts of the game. The Lady Chaps did not score in the game's final 3:50, but the best the Belles could do was receive a Madeline Stephens three-pointer in the closing span.
 
ASU would hit four three-pointers in the quarter. They finished with 18 field goals, with seven coming from long range. Stephens led ASU with 17 points, and Sawyer Lloyd added 13.
 
The Lady Chaps had an abnormal stat line in shooting. They shot 46.7% (28/60) from the field, but 56% (14/25) from beyond the arc. That placed LCU's shooting percentage at 40% (14/35) for inside the perimeter. LCU finished with six players connecting with at least one three-pointer (four had at least two). Duncan (4-of-5), Sumrall (3-of-4) and Schulte (3-of-5) combined to go 10-of-14 (71.4%) from outside. LCU's 14 three-pointers I their second highest total of the season (15 on Dec. 11 vs. St. Mary's).
 
Schulte, who was +35 (plus/minus) in 23 minutes played, led LCU with 15 points. Duncan was LCU's only other player in double figures, finishing with 14 points.
 
LCU was unable to extend their streak of consecutive games with at least 10 steals (ended at five games), but they did force ASU into 20 turnovers (LCU had 10). The turnovers forced led to LCU outscoring ASU 22-8 in points off turnovers.
 
The win gives LCU their 11^th consecutive win over Angelo State in the all-time series and it sweeps their divisional home-and-home series scheduled this season. ASU fell to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in conference and divisional play, while LCU improves to 6-0 overall and in conference, and 2-0 in division play.
 
TURNING POINT
In the second quarter, LCU went on an 18-4 run, with all 18 points scored from three-point range. It was completed in a span of 3:45 on seven attempts, with the score sitting at 45-17 once the final three-pointer of the series (from Ashton Duncan) popped the nylon.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
With the 14 three-pointers Saturday, LCU has 70 three-pointers in their six games played (11.7 average per game). They have had at least 10 three-pointers in four of their six games played. In Steve Gomez's career coaching the Lady Chaps (this is the 18^th season), only one other season (2017-18) has LCU ever had at least 10 three-pointers in four of their first six games. Even during that 2017-18 season, LCU had 52 three-pointers through their first six games.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU remains home Friday (Jan. 22) to host Texas A&M International for a LSC conference series. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center. The Dustdevils are 8-1 on the season and riding a seven-game win streak.