LUBBOCK, Texas (December 1, 2022) – Lubbock Christian University used a 30-5 advantage in points-off-turnovers and career highs of 19 points from Maci Maddox and 16 points from Shaylee Stovall to open their Lone Star Conference schedule with an 88-61 win over Oklahoma Christian Thursday night. The free-throw-filled game, featuring 74 free-throws, resulted in LCU's NCAA active-leading 108^th consecutive win inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
Twenty-one different players attempted at least one free-throw in the game, as OC had 40 of the game's 74 attempts from the line. LCU out-scored OC 24-23 from the line. The two teams combined for 32 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter alone and the 74 combined free-throws in the game were the most attempts in an LCU contest since LCU combined for 79 with Tarleton State on November 22, 2011.
 
As far as the action when there were no free-throws being attempted, the contest was a game that was neck-and-neck at the start. OC and LCU had knotted up the score on six occasions over the game's opening 5:52, and LCU never led during the span. Maddox, who scored 13 points in the opening quarter, had a 6-0 run to give LCU their first lead of the game. She had nine of the Lady Chaps 11 points in the final 5:02 of the first quarter to give LCU a 22-13 lead.
 
The 7-0 run turned into a 12-0 run as Stovall notched the first five points of the second quarter to put LCU up 27-13 41 seconds into the quarter. Kate Bradley hit back-to-back three-pointers for OC to outscore LCU 10-2 to cut LCU's lead to 31-25 with 6:19 remaining in the half. It would be as close as the Lady Eagles would get, as Grace Foster and Stovall combined for a 5-0 run late in the half to give LCU a 42-31 halftime lead.
 
Stovall completed the first half with eight points and all eight were registered in the second quarter. She trailed Maddox at the break, as the two combined for half of LCU's first-half scoring.
 
Foster opened the second half with a pair of field goals before LCU hit three three-pointers on four attempts. Stovall knocked down a pair of the three-pointers (Maddox made the other) and her second put LCU up 57-34 3:41 into the second half. Stovall (8) and Maddox (6) combined for 14 points in the third quarter, as LCU shot 52.9% (9/17) in the quarter. They were 4-of-7 from long-range in the frame.
 
LCU took a 68-43 lead into the fourth quarter. Reese Schumann had a three-point play and Audrey Spurgin added a pair of free-throws to complete a 5-0 run 1:40 into the final quarter for a 73-45 lead and LCU's largest of the game. Then whistles occupied the remainder of the game, as 19 fouls were called in the quarter and 32 free-throws were attempted. OC scored 18 points in the final quarter and 13 were from the line.
 
The Lady Chaps notched a season-high 14 steals and forced OC into 25 turnovers, which led to LCU outscoring OC 30-5 in points-off-turnovers. Audrey Robertson led LCU with four steals and Maddox had three swipes.
 
Maddox was 8-of-12 from the field (3-of-4 from three-point range) in her career-high outing. She also provided five assists. Stovall was 6-of-7 from the field, hitting 3-of-4 from the perimeter, for her 16 points.
 
OC, falling to 0-4 on the season and 0-1 in LSC play, received 11 points from Olivia Travis. She co-led the team with seven rebounds, joining Brooklin Bain. OC was 22-of-40 in the game from the line (55.0%).
 
LCU (5-2, 1-0) won their 20^th consecutive head-to-head matchup against OC. They improve to 31-29 all-time against the Lady Chaps.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's 13-3 run to start the second half put the game into cruise control for LCU. OC went the opening 2:35 of the half without a field goal and had one over the first 5:29 of the half. LCU missed their first two shot attempts of the half, but then responded 5-of-7 from the field, which was also part of a 9-of-15 stretch of shot attempts in the third quarter (LCU outscored OC 26-12 in the quarter).
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Thursday marked LCU's fourth conference-opener in the Lone Star Conference. It was LCU's 29th conference opener (six Heartland Conference and 19 Sooner Athletic Conference openers prior to joining the LSC) and they improved to 3-1 in LSC openers (went 11-8 all-time in SAC openers and 5-1 in HC openers). They are now 17-3 all-time in conference openers under head coach Steve Gomez. They have won 16 of their prior 18 consecutive conference openers with Thursday's result.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU remains home Saturday to complete their opening week of LSC play and they host Arkansas Fort Smith with a 1 p.m. scheduled tip-off.