BILLINGS, Mont. (November 6, 2021) – No.1 Lubbock Christian University overcame a 12-point deficit, shooting 55.9% over the final three quarters, and received 22 points from Ashton Duncan, as the Lady Chaparrals defeated Montana State Billings 67-61 for their first road win of the season. The contest was part of the DII CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead, and the win puts the Lady Chaps with a 2-0 record at the season-opening event
 
The game was scoreless for the first 3:14, as MSUB's Cariann Kunkle opened the game's scoring. LCU missed their first five shot attempts and their drought ended 21 seconds after Kunkle's bucket via a three-pointer from Allie Schulte. Ashton Duncan followed on the ensuing LCU possession with a three-pointer for a 6-4 LCU lead. The tide shifted after Duncan's three-pointer, as the Yellowjackets surged on a 13-0 run for a 17-6 advantage. The run, covering over five minutes, was ended with Audrey Robertson converting a layup with 44 seconds left in the quarter for LCU's first two-point field goal of the game. LCU, shooting 21.4% (3/14) in the first quarter, trailed 17-8 heading into the second quarter.
 
Danielle Zahn opened the second quarter scoring 1:14 into the quarter, providing MSU Billings their largest lead of the game (20-8). Channing Cunyus answered with a three-pointer and it started a 15-4 LCU run, which led to LCU outscoring MSUB 21-6 and taking a 29-26 lead. Juliana Robertson, Duncan and Cunyus each were 2-of-2 from the field in the quarter, combining for a 6-of-6 shooting performance and helping the Lady Chaps to a 36-31 halftime lead. LCU was 69.2% from the field in the second quarter, shooting 6-of-8 from inside the arc (75%).
 
Duncan opened the second half volleying a put-back attempt in for a 38-31 lead, but the Lady Chaps would go without a field goal over the next 4:10. Addison Gardner popped a three-pointer for MSUB, who went on a 7-1 run over the 4:10 span. Duncan ended the span draining a three pointer to build the lead to 42-38 with 5:27 left in the quarter.
 
The three-pointer by Duncan was the first of eight consecutive possessions in which LCU had a one-possession-lead and converted with points (LCU was 6-of-7 from the field from the 5:27 mark of the third quarter to the 6:58 mark of the fourth quarter in field goals attempted with a lead of three or less points, and the one miss resulted in an offensive rebound and a foul resulting in free-throws made to extend the lead to a two-possession game). Duncan struck again on the seventh attempt during the one-possession sequence connecting on a three-pointer with 6:58 left in the game for a 58-53 lead. Her three-pointer sparked a 9-0 run for a 64-53 lead with 4:38 remaining, which was LCU's largest lead of the game.
 
With 3:01 remaining, MSUB had a late rally to make things uneasy for the Lady Chaps. LCU did not have a field goal in the game's final three minutes and they were held to two shot attempts in the span. The Yellowjackets went on an 8-0 run in four-minute span and cut LCU's lead to 64-61 with 31-seconds remaining. Duncan was able to garner a trip to the free-throw line and made a free-throw to push the lead back to a two-possession game.
 
Duncan led all scorers with 21 points, going 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range. She was 4-of-5 in the second half and produced 13 points and four rebounds in the half. Schulte (16 points) and Cunyus had 12 points to join Duncan in double figures. LCU shot 47.8% (22/46) from the field in the game, shooting 52.6% (10/19) in the second half, which included 8-of-13 (61.5%) shooting inside the arc.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-1) were led by 6-3 Washington State transfer Taryn Shelley, who completed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. MSUB was 45.1% from the field (23/51), never shooting under 40% in any quarter.
 
TURNING POINT
Instead of one turning point, there were several and it was most notably whenever Juliana Robertson left the floor. Robertson led LCU with a +14 plus/minus. MSUB outscored LCU by eight points whenever Robertson was not on the floor. Robertson left the game following a second early foul and when she departed, MSUB turned a 6-4 deficit into a 15-6 lead. She exited the game, fouling out, with 5:44 remaining and LCU with a seven-point lead. Just over a minute later, with Robertson not on the floor, MSUB went on a 6-0 run.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line Friday, and Saturday they made their first eight attempts before missing their first attempt in the third quarter. That had LCU opening the season making their first 14 free-throw attempts before encountering their first miss. Allie Schulte was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the game. Her career high (without a miss) is 8-of-8, and it was one of four games last season in which she was at least 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU closes their Montana stay Sunday facing No.11 Tampa (1-1) inside Alterowitz Gymnasium, with tip-off scheduled for 4:15 p.m (CT).

POSTGAME REACTION IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO WITH ASHTON DUNCAN AND STEVE GOMEZ