CANYON, Texas (February 27, 2021) – No.1 Lubbock Christian University overcame their lowest point total since 2016 with a double-double from
Emma Middleton (16 points and 14 rebounds), as the Lady Chaps claimed a West Division title and their second consecutive Lone Star Conference Championship with a 48-45 road win at West Texas A&M Saturday. LCU completed the regular season unbeaten (15-0), and they will head into the LSC Championship (tournament) as the top seed and will host No.8-seed St. Mary's Tuesday at 5 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.
LCU had their lowest point total since scoring 47 on Dec. 21, 2016 at St. Mary's, and their lowest point total in a victory since defeating Lenoir-Rhyne 47-39 on Nov. 26, 2016 in Puerto Rico. The Lady Chaps, who had only trailed at the end of any quarter twice this season, trailed at the end of each period Saturday, except for the final quarter, as they outscored WT 13-9 in the fourth quarter.
It looked as if LCU was going to continue where they left off from Thursday's 68-42 home win over the Lady Buffs, opening Saturday's game with a 6-3 lead, but LCU then went a span of 8:29 without a point. WT took advantage of LCU missing 10 consecutive field goal attempts with a 12-0 run for a 15-6 lead, which placed LCU with their largest deficit of the season.
Ashton Duncan hit back-to-back three-pointers for LCU to ignite a 11-2 scoring run to tie the game at 19-19 with 2:47 left in the first half. WT received eight points in the first half by Lexy Hightower and the Lady Buffs led LCU 48-45 at the half. Duncan had eight points to lead LCU, who shot 23.3% (7-of-30) from the field in the half. Middleton had six points and 10 rebounds in the opening half.
The two teams combined for a trio of three-pointers in the opening three minutes of the second half before old-fashioned three-point plays by
Allie Schulte and
Channing Cunyus led to a 6-0 LCU run to take a 30-27 lead midway through the quarter. Hightower regained the WT lead with the next seven Lady Buffs points and WT took a 36-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
Middleton and Schulte carried the Lady Chaps in the fourth quarter, as Middleton's seven points and Schulte's six points during the quarter combined for all of LCU's points in the final quarter. Following Middleton's first jumper of the quarter (scored 24 seconds into the frame for a 37-36 LCU lead), LCU never trailed until McKauley Gregory's three-pointer for WT put the Lady Buffs up 45-44 with 2:13 left. LCU overcame the deficit and took a three-point advantage by ending the game with a 4-0 run all from the line with successful free-throw attempts from
Allie Schulte, who was 7-of-7 from the line. WT missed their last four field goal attempts in the game, with a pair of three-pointers in the final 26 seconds falling unsuccessful.
Each team is known for their sharp shooting, but it was not on display Saturday. LCU, opening the game 3-of-16 from the field, finished the game 30.8% from the field (they were 3-of-20, 15%, from three-point range). WT opened the game 1-of-11 and 3-of-17 from the field before finishing 32.1% from the field. Middleton registered her first career double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Her 14 boards were a career high, and she also matched a career high with four blocks. Schulte added 13 points and four steals.
WT received 20 points from Hightower in the loss, which was their fourth straight loss and placed their record at 14-5. Braylyn Dollar also provided 12 rebounds.
TURNING POINT
With 2:13 remaining, McKauley Gregory hit a long distance shot to put WT up 45-44. It would be their final point of the game, as they missed three field goal attempts down the stretch, with two of the attempts resulting in blocks (
Emma Middleton and
Ashton Duncan). Duncan also had a steal in mix in the final 2:13. It may seem strange to comprehend, but LCU was able to win a game in which they did not score a field goal in the game's final 3:12 while also facing a deficit to overcome inside the final 3:12.
INSIDE THE NUMBER
LCU's 30.8% shooting from the field was a season low. When was the last time LCU shot 30.8%... Ironically the last time they played at First United Bank Center (Jan. 18, 2020), was the last time they shot 30.8% from the field. LCU shot 16-of-52 from the field in both games.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU prepares to host St. Mary's in the single-elimination eight-team Lone Star Conference Championship tournament. Quarterfinal matchups are hosted by the top seed at on-campus sites. LCU will host StMU Tuesday at 5 p.m. and tickets go on sale Sunday (Feb.28) at noon online at www.lcuchaps.com/tickets.
