ODESSA, Texas (February 19, 2021) –
Ashton Duncan racked up 25 points, with 18 points in the first half, and finished with six three pointers to help lead No.1 Lubbock Christian University to a 74-43 road victory over UT Permian Basin in Lone Star Conference West Division play inside UTPB Gym.
Duncan was 6-of-8 from long range in the game, connecting on all three of her first quarter attempts. Her offensive opening quarter was much needed, as LCU and UTPB combined to miss their first nine attempts of the game. LCU missed their first five attempts and had to overcome a marginal deficit after UTPB scored five of their first seven points from the free-throw line. Duncan's first points of the game (2:18 into the game) put LCU on the scoreboard and ignited a 13-3 LCU run. Eleven (11) of the points in the run were from Duncan, who connected on three consecutive three-point attempts. The run helped LCU take a 16-11 lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter featured Duncan and UTPB's Alexis Popham attempting to carry their team on their back. Duncan opened the quarter's scoring with a three-pointer, and Popham, as UTPB attempted six consecutive three-pointers, hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Falcons. Popham, who scored 10 of UTPB's 12 points in the quarter, was unable to get the deficit cut inside of seven points, as
Allie Schulte answered Popham's first three-pointer with a three-pointer before a 5-0 LCU run followed Popham's second trey. Duncan (6-of-8 from the field in the half) closed LCU's first half scoring with a three-pointer and LCU went into the half leading 37-23.
Popham, who was 3-of-3 from three-point range in the game, hit her third three-pointer in the third quarter to help keep UTPB within reach. The long distance shot cut LCU's lead to 41-27 two minutes into the second half. Duncan answered with her only three-pointer of the second half and it began a 14-2 LCU run (seven of the points from Duncan) to put the Lady Chaps up 55-29 (1:20 remaining in the quarter). Both
Juliana Robertson and
Audrey Robertson each had an and-one three-point play in the quarter, and Audrey's conversion led to LCU taking a 58-25 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Chaps scored the first six points of the fourth quarter and outscored the Falcons 14-6 over the first 7:30 of the final quarter.
Savannah Sumrall and
Brylee Winfrey each connected from long range in the fourth quarter, leading to Sumrall scoring five points in the quarter and pushing LCU's lead to its largest (31) following each of her two field goals in the quarter.
LCU was 9-of-19 (47.4%) from outside the arc, with Duncan finishing the game 6-of-8. She finished with 25 points and one-point shy of matching her career high (26) to lead all scorers.
Emma Middleton (13) and Schulte (11) each finished in double figures. Schulte also provided five assists and four steals (and a +31 plus/minus), and Middleton had three swipes and led LCU with six rebounds.
UTPB (5-10 overall and 4-10 in LSC play) was led by Popham, who finished with 15 points. The Falcons were held to 34.1% shooting (14/41) and they were 3-of-15 (20%) from outside.
TURNING POINT
Duncan's first quarter scoring surge fueled LCU. The Lady Chaps, who opened the game 6-of-17 from the field (35.2%), had five of the six field goals in the span made consecutively. Four (4) in the span were from Duncan, with three from outside. Duncan's success transpired while UTPB hit a scoreless span lasting 4:15.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU extended a streak of games with at least 10 steals, as they produced 15 steals Friday, with eight different Lady Chaps producing at least one swipe. The steals helped lead to a 21-6 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers (LCU forced 23 turnovers, marking the seventh straight game LCU has forced at least 20 turnovers). LCU has scored at least 20 points-off-turnovers (they average 25.6 per game) in 11 of their 12 games this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU, improving to 12-0 overall (10-0 in the LCU and 4-0 in the West Division), returns home Sunday to host UT Permian Basin to complete their divisional home-and-home series. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center and the game will serve as Senior Day for the Lady Chap seniors.
