LUBBOCK, Texas (November 19, 2021) – The top-ranked programs in the D2SIDA (Lander) and WBCA (Lubbock Christian University) Top-25 polls clashed Friday inside Rip Griffin Center, and Lubbock Christian overcame a 10-point deficit in the final seven minutes of the game to claim a 76-72 victory behind the team's 30-of-31 free-throw shooting performance.
 
Despite Lander having Zamiya Passmore scoring 27 points, 15 offensive rebounds in the first half (40-28 rebound advantage in the game), holding LCU to four three-pointers in the game and leading the contest for 27:48, LCU was able to power through and win the game. LCU won the game from the line. They were 30-of-31 for a 96.8% rate from the charity stripe. The mark was not a program record, based on the minimum attempts mark, but if the minimum was 30 attempts, than the 30-of-31 would be the best mark to qualify. LCU made their final 28 consecutive free-throw attempts, which included going 22-of-22 in the second half. Allie Schulte was successful on all 10 of her free-throw attempts and the 10-of-10 performance matched an LCU Rip Griffin Center record, joining Tabitha Qubty-Seller (10-of-10 vs. Oklahoma Christian on Jan. 18, 2001) and Emily Pool (10-of-10 vs. Newman on Nov. 23, 2013). The LCU single-game record for free-throw percentage is 22-of-22 on Feb. 15, 2018 against Newman, and the individual single-game record for LCU is held by Nicole Hampton (14-of-14 on Jan. 16, 2014).
 
Lander jumped out to a hot start in the game. After missing their opening three shots, Lander connected on four consecutive attempts, with Passmore connecting on a three-pointer in the mix. LCU opened the game 2-of-7 from the field and trailed 9-5 after Passmore's second field goal of the game halfway through the quarter. Sisters Audrey Robertson (6) and Juliana Robertson (5) combined for 11 points in the first quarter for LCU, whose 8-5 run to close the quarter had them trailing 14-13 heading into the second quarter.
 
Mikaila Cange scored eight of the Bearcats first 11 points of the second quarter. The Bearcats had a 7-0 run, which was part of a 17-5 scoring surge to start the quarter and it gave Lander a 31-18 lead midway through the second quarter. Whitney Cox hit a turnaround jumper to end the run and it sparked a 10-2 LCU run. Grace Foster nailed a three-pointer during the run, which cut Lander's lead to 35-31. Maci Maddox was fouled on a drive in the closing seconds of the half, and her two made free-throws put LCU down 37-33 at the half.
 
Lander produced nine offensive rebounds in the second quarter and 15 in the half, leading to a 9-0 scoring advantage in second-chance scoring in the quarter and an 11-4 advantage in the category for the half. Cange, who led Lander in the half with 10 points and seven rebounds, had five offensive boards in the half. Audrey Robertson (8) and Juliana Robertson (7) combined for 15 points in the half for LCU, who was 8-of-12 (67%) from inside the arc in the half.
 
For a span of 7:23 from the final 4:41 of the first half to the first 2:52 of the second half, LCU was 7-of-9 from the field. Ashton Duncan nailed a three-pointer during the sequence and it provided LCU their first lead in the second half. It was the first of 10 lead changes in the third quarter. The lead-change opportunities put pressure on LCU's free-throw attempts. LCU, with 10 of their 21 points in the third quarter coming from the line, was 10-of-10 from the line and four of the free-throws either tied the contest of provided LCU a lead. Passmore scored 15 points in the quarter for Lander, as she was 5-of-7 from the field. She entered the game 3-of-8 from the line, but was 4-of-4 in the quarter.
 
Passmore scored the final six Bearcats points of the quarter and Lander ended the quarter on a 4-0 run, but not without controversy. As time expired to end the third quarter, Schulte launched and made a shot just inside halfcourt to cut Lander's lead to 58-57. Officials counted the bucket, but between quarters they reviewed the video and decided she did not release the shot in time, resulting in the basket being waved off and Lander leading 58-54 to start the fourth quarter.
 
The Bearcats had a second half stretch in which they were 9-of-11 from the field. In the final minute of the third quarter, stretched to the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter, Lander made six consecutive field goal attempts. Four of the six field goals were by Passmore, who gave the Bearcats a 66-56 lead with 7:11 remaining.
 
Lander would be held to two field goals the rest of the way. LCU countered with eight of the next 10 points coming from the free-throw line over a span of 2:25 and trailed 68-66. LCU outscored LU 14-4 over the final 4:36, with eight of the points scored at the line for LCU. Channing Cunyus and Audrey Robertson had big field goals during an 8-0 run before LU was forced to put LCU at the line.
 
LCU was 10-of-22 from the field in the second half (45.5%) and finished the game 46.7% (21/45) from the field. They were 18-of-29 (62%) inside the arc. The Lady Chaps (5-1) had five players in double figures offensively, as Schulte and Audrey Robertson each had 12 points, Cunyus and Juliana Robertson each had 11 points and Layne Burr, who led all players with a +13 plus/minus, finished with 10 points.
 
Lander (2-1), received 27 points from Passmore and a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds from Cange, who was limited to three points and 11 minutes of play because of foul trouble in the second half. Passmore was 10-of-19 from the field. Sixth-man Aniaya Jester supplied the Bearcats with 14 points and had 14 of the bench's 16 points.
 
The two teams were meeting for first time ever and Greenwood, South Carolina based Lander is the first South Carolina based team LCU has faced. The two teams were Elite Eight programs in Columbus last season.
 
TURNING POINT
Channing Cunyus play inside the 6:55 remaining (she subbed-in with 6:55 left) and LCU trailing 66-56 was a turning point of the game. She had a defensive rebound and called a timeout in the backcourt to avoid a 10-second violation, which helped LCU retain a possession. She had four points in the quarter, including a field goal with 2:29 left to cut their deficit to 69-68. Her biggest play came inside the final two minutes. She had a steal, which resulted in Audrey Robertson making a layup off her own miss, which gave LCU the lead at 70-69 with 1:40 left. On the ensuing Lander possession, Passmore drove the lane and dumped a pass off to Cange, who had a layup waved off because Cunyus drew a charge from Passmore. LCU followed with a score and Cunyus made it a two-possession game with free-throws tallied with 14 seconds left.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Lady Chaps improved to 18-1 in home openers under head coach Steve Gomez, and the win was their 10^th consecutive home-opening victory. Also, their NCAA Division II record home win streak remains intact and extended to 92 consecutive home wins.    
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU plays another home game against a nationally ranked program Saturday at 8 p.m., as they host No.20 Daemen. LCU opened with the Amherst, N.Y. based program at the Elite Eight last season in Columbus, Ohio.