BILLINGS, Mont. (November 7, 2021) –
Laynee Burr notched a career high 18 points, with 12 points scored in the first half, as No.1 Lubbock Christian University completed their play at the DII CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead with a 56-44 win over No.11 Tampa Sunday inside Alterowitz Gymnasium.
LCU had an early spark, using an 8-0 run off three-pointers from Burr and
Ashton Duncan to take a 9-2 lead midway through the quarter. The Spartans countered with a 5-0 run, which was ended by a
Grace Foster three-pointer. LCU had four field goals in the opening frame, with three from long range, and LCU led 12-10 through the opening 10 minutes of play.
Tampa ended the first quarter and opened the second quarter with old fashioned three-point plays, causing one of four lead changes in the second quarter, and taking a brief 13-12 lead. LCU answered with a 10-0 run, highlighted by Burr scoring the first nine points of the run. Burr's scoring surge, during the five-minute sequence, provided LCU a 24-17 lead with 1:07 left in the half. Burr finished the half with 12 points, matching a career high. LCU, with an 11-0 scoring advantage in fast-break points, led 24-21 at the half.
Allie Schulte, Duncan and Foster each hit three-pointers in the opening five minutes of the third quarter to spark an 11-2 run, giving LCU a 37-25 lead. Tampa closed the quarter with a pair of three-pointers to cut LCU's lead to 39-31 heading into the final quarter. The two teams combined for nine field goals in the quarter, with five from three-point range (LCU with three).
Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Tampa outscored LCU 6-2, keyed by an Eleanore Marciszewski three-pointer that aided the Spartans cutting the LCU lead to 41-37. LCU countered, controlling the ensuing three minutes and going on a 7-0 run capped by a
Juliana Robertson three-pointer for a 48-37 lead. The run was part of an overall 15-2 run, with six points tallied by Burr to complete her 18-point performance. The Lady Chaps scoring surge built the lead to 56-39 (largest of the game) with 2:18 left.
Burr finished the game 6-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from long range. She also had a plus/minus of +17. She was one of four Lady Chaps with double figures, as Duncan, Foster and Schulte each had 10 points. Foster, a true freshman, finished with a +18 (plus/minus), which was second on the squad behind Robertson (+20). LCU, which outscored Tampa 26-13 in points-off-turnovers, shot 55% (11/20) from the field in the second half and finished the game 45.5% (20/44) from the field, while holding Tampa under 40% (39.5%, 17/43).
Tampa (1-2) was led by Melijah Sullivan, who had 12 points and seven rebounds. She was joined offensively by Dori Nagy, who had 10 points.
TURNING POINT
With 3:34 remaining in the game and LCU leading 48-39,
Laynee Burr drew a foul to earn a trip to the free-throw line. The foul was called against Terri Battle, but Sullivan was disgruntled and slammed the ball resulting in a technical foul. The result of the fouls was four free throws for Burr, who made all four free throws. LCU also received the possession following the free-throws, which ended with a field goal from Burr. So LCU scored six points on one possession and the series extended LCU's lead to 54-39.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU, outscored 14-12 through the opening three quarters of the game in paint scoring, outscored Tampa 10-0 in the paint during the fourth quarter.
ALL-TOURNAMENT
Allie Schulte and
Laynee Burr were named to the DII CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead All-Tournament Team, with Schulte claiming Tournament MVP honors.
Schulte: 15 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game
Burr: 11 pts a game, 11 total assists and 7 total steals in the tournament
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU, which played three games in three nights for the first time since March 3-5, 2017 (Heartland Conference Tournament), completed the DII CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead with a perfect 3-0 record. They remain on the road next week, heading to Lakewood, Colo. For the RMAC/LSC Tip Off Classic hosted by Colorado Christian, who they open play against Friday at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
POST GAME REACTION (YouTube):
