BILLINGS, Mont. (November 5, 2021) – Allie had 19 points, all in the first half, and Ashton Duncan moved into Lubbock Christian University's career top-five list in career three-pointers, as the No.1 Lady Chaparrals opened the 2021-22 season and their stay at the DII CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead with a 69-55 win over Montevallo Friday afternoon inside Alterowitz Gymnasium on the campus of Montana State Billings.
 
Schulte had the hot hand to start the contest for LCU, as she scored seven of LCU's opening 10 points during a 10-0 LCU run. The Falcons were held without a field goal for the opening 5:25 of the game, with their first field goal tallied on their seventh field goal attempt of the game. UM shot 21.4% (3/14) in the opening quarter and Schulte finished with nine points in the quarter, as LCU's 5-of-10 shooting from long range in the opening 10 minutes had them with a 21-10 lead heading in the second quarter.
 
Duncan connected on back-to-back three-pointers early in the quarter to give her 188 in her LCU career, which is a mark that moved her into fifth all-time in program history. She moved past Angie Taylor, who had 187 three-pointers from 1996-2000.
 
Schulte had a strong second quarter, knocking down all four of her field goal attempts, including a pair beyond the arch to score 10 of LCU's 15 points in the second quarter. Laynee Burr, who also connected from downtown in the quarter, added LCU's other five points to provide a 36-26 halftime lead. Schulte was 8-of-10 from the field in the half and was the only player in double figures at the break.
 
Like the opening of the game, Alabama-based Montevallo had a slow offensive start to the second half. They missed their first four field goal attempts while LCU opened the half on a 6-0 run sparked by a three-pointer from Burr. LCU built the lead to 45-29 (2:41 into the half) before Montevallo chipped away to cut LCU's lead to 47-35 with 4:02 remaining in the third quarter. UM would never cut into their deficit any further. LCU, with six points in the quarter from Juliana Robertson (four of the six points from the line, which were LCU's first free-throw attempts of the game), were able to close the quarter on a 9-3 run for a 56-38 lead.
 
Duncan and Channing Cunyus connected on consecutive LCU three-point attempts three-minutes into the fourth quarter to put LCU with their largest lead of the game (62-43). LCU, who dressed 15 players, played 14 players in the fourth quarter, as their lead fluctuated between a 12 and 19-point lead. True freshman Grace Foster, who led LCU with nine rebounds, led LCU in scoring in the fourth quarter with five of her seven points in the quarter (also had two blocks and led LCU in scoring in the half with her seven points).   
 
LCU held the Falcons to a 32.1% shooting performance (18/56) and they were 22.7% (5/22) from long-range. UM scored 41 of their 55 from the field, as they had a 14-6 scoring advantage from the free-throw line. The Falcons had a 24-6 advantage in free-throw attempts, and the 18 additional free-throw attempts is the most by an LCU opponent since Mar. 11, 2016. Fortunately for LCU, the Falcons were 58.3% from the line (14/24), while LCU was 6-of-6.
 
UM (0-1) had a double-double performance from Shyan Flack. She had 13 rebounds to go along with 10 points, with seven of her 10 tallied from the charity stripe. Flack was the only player in double figures for the Falcons.
 
Along with Schulte's 19 points, LCU (1-0) had 12 points from Duncan and 10 from Burr. Duncan had 12 three-point attempts (made four), which was one off her career high (13). LCU assisted on 19 of their 25 field goals, with Burr leading LCU with a career-high six assists. She also matched a career high with four of LCU's 11 steals (LCU outscored UM 17-11 in points-off-turnovers).
 
TURNING POINT
LCU closed the third quarter on a 9-3 run, holding the Falcons to three field goal attempts in the final four minutes of the quarter. The run allowed LCU to extend a 12-point lead to a 18-point advantage (56-38).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Lady Chaps are now 9-6 over their last 15 season openers. LCU is now 29-14 all-time and 13-6 under head coach Steve Gomez in season openers. The 2017-18 season opener in Commerce, Texas marked LCU's last season opener that was a neutral site contest.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU remains in Billings Saturday and they will have their first "road game" of the season, facing tournament host MSU Billings (1-0), who defeated Minot State 72-66 Friday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. (Central).

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS BELOW: