LAS VEGAS (December 18, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University trailed for more time than they led on Saturday night against Western Washington but used a strong second half to pull back ahead and beat the Vikings 84-74 inside South Point Arena.
 
WWU had the lead for 18:48 of play, the Chaps for just 18:28, and the lead changed 15 times in the game overall. But LCU went on top for good at with just over 10 minutes left in the game and held off any and all Viking comeback attempts. They now head into a two-week Christmas break with a perfect 12-0 record.
 
If you looked at just the shooting numbers, it would seem as though Lubbock Christian dominated the first half. The Chaps shot a blistering 61.9 percent (13-21) from the field, including 60 percent from behind the arc. The Vikings, meanwhile, hit a respectable 50 percent of their shots, but only 38.5 percent from behind the arc. Still, when the horn sounded for the first half to end, the game was all tied up at 42.
 
The problem for LCU in the first half was their ability to take care of the ball. After turning it over nine times in the first half Friday night against Rollins, they turned it over 10 times Saturday against Western Washington.
 
WWU took advantage of the Chap miscues and led by as many as seven points several times during the first half. The last time the lead was that wide was with 6:46 remaining before the break. Jalen Brattain answered with three points the hard way and Lloyd Daniels got to the free throw line as well for five quick LCU points.
 
Daniels was excellent all night, leading the Chaps in scoring with a season-high 25 points. He was 10-10 at the free throw line and added in five assists as well.
 
LCU tied the game with 4:15 left in the half and took a brief two-point lead, but a jumper by RJ Seacrest tied the game just before the break.
 
Two key things happened in the second half to help the Chaps pull ahead and stay there. First, they turned the ball over just three more times the entire period. Second, Parker Hicks found his rhythm.
 
The senior forward scored the first Lubbock Christian basket of the second half and went on to score 21 of his total 24 points during the period. He was 9-14 in the final 20 minutes, including 3-6 from behind the arc.
 
Still though, it looked as though it might not be enough early in the period. The Vikings led by as many as six points and still held the lead with 11:57 left in the game. A layup from Hicks briefly tied things up, but a WWU three-pointer the next time down the floor gave them the lead again. Finally, back-to-back baskets from Hicks sparked a 10-3 LCU run and gave them the lead for good.
 
LCU finally seemed in a groove offensively, answering every time the Vikings tried to cut into the lead and continuing to score when they did not. The lead got out to double-figures for the first time with just over three minutes to go, and the Chaps held on until the final buzzer.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The 74 points scored by Western Washington is tied for the most allowed by the Chaps in a single game this season. They also allowed 74 points against Arlington Baptist on Nov. 20, 2021. The Vikings accomplished the feat by shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from behind the arc.
 
NEXT UP
It's straight into Lone Star Conference play after the break for the No. 1 ranked Chaparrals. The will face a tough road test on Dec. 31 against Texas A&M-Kingsville.