COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 26, 2021) – Top-seeded and No.1 Lubbock Christian University became the first program in NCAA Division II history to complete two undefeated seasons, as a strong 69-59 victory over No.3-seeded No.2 Drury Friday night inside Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) helped the Lady Chaparrals claim their third national title in program history. Allie Schulte's 18-point performance led to Most Outstanding Player honors and she was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Emma Middleton, who finished with a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds). The 23-0 record to complete the season (went 35-0 in 2015-16) allowed LCU to become the fifth program to claim the title in consecutive tournaments (first since Cal Poly Pomona in '01 and '02) and the fifth program to claim at least three titles.
 
LCU relied on a quick start to the contest. They opened the game 7-of-9 from the field, with five three-pointers nailed in the span. They made four consecutive three-point attempts, with Ashton Duncan and Madelyn Turner each with two during the sequence, which had LCU with a 19-8 lead nearly six minutes into the contest. A much-needed timeout called by Drury appeared to work, as LCU went 4:13 without a point, until Laynee Burr buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to close the opening frame with LCU leading 22-12.
 
The Lady Chaps had another dry spell in the second quarter after building the lead to 28-14 on an Emma Middleton field goal. They went over four minutes without a point, as Drury went on a 7-0 run to cut LCU's lead to 28-21 with 3:05 left. LCU's defense, holding Drury to 28.6% shooting from the field in the quarter, kept the Panthers to one field goal over the final four minutes of the half and the Lady Chaps took a 32-24 lead into the break.
 
The two teams traded buckets in the opening three minutes of the second half. Following a Paige Robinson jumper to cut LCU's lead to 38-31, the Lady Chaps went on a 6-0 run, with four of the points from Allie Schulte, who would score six points in the quarter and all from the free-throw line. Each team was 50% from the field in the quarter and LCU headed into the fourth quarter with a 51-38 advantage.
 
Schulte had five straight points to surge a 7-0 LCU run with 6:26 left, building the LCU lead to 60-39. Give the Panthers credit, as down 21 points, they charged back with a 12-0 run. They made five straight field goals and went on a stretch going 8-of-11 from the field and turning a 12-0 run into a 20-3 run. LCU's one-time 21-point lead evaporated into a 63-59 LCU lead with 57 seconds left. LCU flexed their muscle, kept Drury off the scoreboard the remainder of the game and closed out the game with six free-throws before the celebratory horn sounded.
 
LCU finished the game with eight three-pointers and was 47.1% (8/17) from long range. They were 48.9% (22/45) from the field. Their defense held Drury to under 40% (39.7%) from the field and to 26 rebounds (second lowest LCU allowed by an opponent this season). LCU had 10 steals and produced a 20-14 scoring advantage in points-off turnover.
 
Schulte finished with 18 points and was 9-of-10 from the free-throw line after drawing nine fouls. The 18 points places her with 172 career NCAA postseason points, which is second in program history behind Maddi Chitsey (176 points). She finished with 87 points in LCU's five NCAA postseason games this season (17.4 average), which led the team and led to the Most Outstanding Player honors. Shulte joins Nicole Hampton (2016) and Olivia Robertson (2019) as LCU recipients of the honor. The senior guard from Nazareth, Texas also had three steals in the game and moved into fourth place on LCU's career steals list (229).
 
Middleton was part of the All-Tournament Team for LCU after averaging 16.0 points and 5.4 rebounds. Friday, she notched 12 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
 
LCU also received double figures from Turner and Duncan. Turner was 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range for her 13 points. Duncan had 12 points and two steals in her performance, which helped her conclude the NCAA postseason with a program single-NCAA postseason total 16 three-pointers and she became LCU's all-time leader in NCAA postseason three-pointers with 18.
 
TURNING POINT
At the close of the 17-3 run, Drury cut LCU's lead to 63-59 with 57 seconds left and Steve Gomez called a timeout to allow LCU to inbounds at midcourt. Duncan was fouled on the inbounds and she made each of her free-throw attempts. On the ensuing possession, Duncan garnered a steal and was fouled to make a return trip to the free-throw line. She made three of the four free-throws in the stretch and helped LCU take a seven-point lead with 37 seconds left and extended the lead to a three-possession lead.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Lady Chaps victory improved them to 20-1 all-time in NCAA postseason games (all since becoming postseason eligible members in 2015-16). Of their three titles, it was the second claimed in Columbus and the second which closed out an unbeaten season. LCU went 35-0 in 2016 and Friday's win caps a 23-0 season to mark the fifth time that has occurred in NCAA postseason history in Division II.