LUBBOCK, Texas (February 24, 2022) – In the previous meeting of the season (Dec. 11, 2021), Lubbock Christian University outscored Western New Mexico 33-4 in points-off-turnovers. It was déjà vu all over again Thursday night inside Rip Griffin Center, as No.11 LCU used a 33-2 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers to defeat Western New Mexico 76-49 in Lone Star Conference play and their regular season finale celebrated by Senior Night.
 
LCU forced WNMU into 22 turnovers (LCU committed five in the entire game), forcing the Mustangs into eight mishaps in the first quarter of play. Channing Cunyus, one of two seniors celebrating Senior Night (joining Laynee Burr), opened the game with a three-pointer and helped LCU jump out to an 8-0 lead. Turnovers were not the only bugaboo for the Mustangs to open the game, as they were held to one field goal in the opening quarter. They opened the game 1-of-10 from the field and the one field goal was the only thing interrupting a 19-2 lead to start the game. LCU had five points in the quarter from Robertson and had a 15-0 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers in the quarter to take a 19-4 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Lady Chaps opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run and Allie Schulte's layup with 7:41 left in the half provided LCU a 25-4 lead. Ashton Duncan and Robertson each connected on three-pointers midway through the period and LCU led 35-8 with 4:33 remaining in the half. Robertson added another five points in the quarter to have 10 points at the break and LCU led 43-15 at the intermission behind a 6-of-12 three-point shooting performance in the half.
 
Credit WNMU for their effort in the second half. The Mustangs, after shooting 29.4% (5/17) in the first half, shot 66.7% (6/9) in the third quarter. Despite their hot shooting, LCU was able to get a 9-3 run and a 6-0 run to build the lead to its largest at 64-27 with 1:13 remaining. Brylee Winfrey matched a career high with five points and all were in the third quarter to lead LCU in the frame, as they led 64-30 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
All 15 dressed Lady Chaps received playing time in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, WNMU went 8-of-16 (50%) in the quarter and outscored LCU 19-12 in the quarter. LCU did have a 5-0 run in the quarter and received four points from Grace Foster.
 
LCU had a 31-0 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers through three quarters, and their 33 points overall in the category matched a season high from the two teams' previous meeting. Robertson led LCU with 14 points and missed a double-double by a rebound (nine rebounds). She also co-led LCU with three steals, as the squad finished with 14 steals. Schulte was LCU's only other player in double figures in scoring (finished with 10 points).
 
WNMU (6-15, 2-11) was led by Cynaye Bobbitt, who finished with a game-high 17 points. They also received 15 points from Zyan Smith and 13 points from Alina Simon.
 
LCU (24-5, 12-4) claimed their 10^th consecutive win all-time against WNMU and they lead the all-time series 14-10.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU's 19-2 run to start the game set the game's tone. While WNMU opened the game 1-of-10 from the field, LCU was 6-of-10 in their first 10 shot attempts. In the game's first 20 shot attempts (combined two teams), LCU was 6-of-12, while WNMU was 1-of-8. Olivia Lee (1-of-5) and Zyan Smith (0-of-3) had the shot attempts combining for WNMU's first eight shot attempts.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU closes the regular season with a 24-5 overall record and 12-4 conference mark. They currently set in fourth place in the LSC standings. The regular season for most teams in the conference comes to a close Saturday, so LCU will await their postseason fate. The top four teams in the conference standings receive an opening round bye and advance to the LSC Championships final site (Frisco, Texas). The 5-12-seeds will play on campus sites Tuesday, with the four winning teams advancing to join the four awaiting teams in Frisco for the continuation of the tournament.