LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (13-7, 8-4) at MIDWESTERN STATE (5-14, 3-10)
January 26, 2023 • 5:30 PM
Wichita Falls, Texas • Ligon Coliseum (3,640)
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
Midwestern St.	Wichita Falls, Texas	Thur., Jan. 26	5:30 p.m.	Video	Stats
Cameron	Cameron, Okla.	Sat. Jan. 28	1 p.m.	Video	Stats
GAME NOTES (PDF)

BACK TO THE WEST
After a trip against the top two programs in the East Division last week, which unfortunately resulted in a pair of losses, Lubbock Christian University continues their four-game road trip by returning to West Division play with stops in Wichita Falls, Texas (facing Midwestern State Thursday at 5:30 p.m.) and Cameron, Okla. (facing Cameron Saturday at 1 p.m.). Despite the two-game losing streak, remains tied for fourth place in the Lone Star Conference standings with an 8-4 conference mark. They are also tied for second place in the West Division standings with a 5-1 divisional record. LCU is tied with West Texas A&M in each instance.    
 
DISTURBANCE IN DENTON
Lubbock Christian University rallied back from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter and eventually had a lead in the quarter, but No.7 Texas Woman's took advantage of the breaks down the stretch and edged the Lady Chaparrals 75-69 Saturday in Lone Star Conference play inside Kitty Magee Arena.
 
LCU matched a season high with 15 second-chance points and out-rebounded the Pioneers 29-28 despite a season-low in boards. Maci Maddox led LCU in rebounds (7) and also had a career-high five steals (most by a Lady Chaps member this season). Shaylee Stovall had career-high 18 points and all 18 points were in the second half off 6-of-6 shooting, which included a 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range. Audrey Robertson (14 points), Grace Foster (11 points) and Maddox (11 points) also finished in double figures. LCU was 50% from long distance, hitting 10 three-pointers on 20 attempts.

SEASON NOTES AND TRENDS
> Grace Foster is sprinkled throughout the statistical leaderboard in the LSC, as she co-leads the LSC in double-doubles (with seven to tie for 30^th nationally) and leads in rebounds (185, which is 16^th nationally), while ranking second in rebounds per game (9.2, which is 36^th nationally). On the offensive side, Foster leads the LSC in three-point shooting percentage (40.8%) and is second in the LSC in free-throw percentage (91.6%, sixth nationally) and seventh in the LSC in scoring (14.6 points per game).
> LCU leads the LSC in three-point shooting with a 34.5% shooting percentage from the perimeter this season, which has them 45^th nationally. Opposing teams are shooting 25.5% from three-point range, which defensively places LCU second in the LSC in perimeter defense (21^st nationally).  
> Maci Maddox has double-figure point production in 12 of the prior 19 games and enters Thursday's game averaging 10.5 points per contest. She sits second in the LSC with 97 assists (12^th nationally) and is second with 4.8 assists per game (26^th nationally). Defensively, Maddox ranks fourth in the LSC in steals (45) and is fifth in the LSC in steals per game (2.3).
> Audrey Robertson was solid at the Holiday Hoops Classic, averaging 17.0 points per game. She matched a career high with 15 points against No.13 Georgia Southwestern State and followed with a career-high 19 points in a victory over No.5 Montana State Billings. Since Dec. 16, which is when the Holiday Hoops Classic got underway, Robertson has averaged 13.5 points a game over a 10-game span (leads LCU in the span). Robertson, who is 51-of-95 (53.7%) from the field over the prior 11 games, has double-figures in points in eight of the last 10 games (heading into Thursday).
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 38.0 rebounds per game, posting a high of 48 against Cameron (Dec. 30). LCU has not averaged over 40 rebounds in a season since averaging 40.3 during the 2015-16 season. Grace Foster (9.3), Audrey Robertson (5.4) and Reese Schumann (5.2) are each averaging 5.0-or-more rebounds per game. LCU is third in the LSC in defensive rebounds per game (29.6, 19^th nationally) and ninth in overall rebounds per game (38.0).
> LCU has a 310-248 scoring advantage from the line this season against their opposition. They have at least 20 points scored from the line seven times this season. On the campaign, LCU is shooting 77.1% (310/402) from the line, which leads the LSC and ranks 20^th nationally. The Lady Chaps rank 18th nationally and fifth in the LSC in free-throws made per game (15.7). Grace Foster is 76-of-83 (91.6%) from the line this season to lead LCU. Audrey Robertson (63-of-77, 81.8%, sixth in the LSC) and Shaylee Stovall (43-of-54, 79.6%, eighth in LSC) are each shooting at least 75.0% from the line (of those reaching minimum requirements). In the past two game, LCU has been outscored 39-17 from the line and the 39 free-throws made in consecutive games by the opposition is the most since Oklahoma Christian and St. Edward's combined for 41 made free-throws in a two-game span in late February of 2017.
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 70.2 points per contest (averaged 65.9 per game last season), which ranks third in the LSC, and they have a trio of players averaging double figures in points. Grace Foster (14.7), Audrey Robertson (11.9) and Maci Maddox (10.5) lead the average scoring pace for the Lady Chaps.
>Defensively, Lubbock Christian is fifth in the LSC in blocks per game (3.6). Reese Schumann leads LCU in blocks (30), ranking third in the LSC (28^th nationally), and Grace Foster ranks 10th in the LSC with 18 blocks. Schumann's average of 1.5 blocks per game ranks third in the LSC.
>LCU's has dominated third quarters this season, as they have a 370-282 scoring advantage in the third quarter this season (average scoring advantage of 18.5 - 14.1). The 18.5 points per third quarter scoring mark leads as their highest single-quarter scoring average of the four quarters this season, and their 14.1 points allowed per third quarter ranks as their second-best defensive quarter of the four quarters this season (allow 13.6 points per quarter in first quarter).

ROAD ROCKIN'
The Lady Chaps are 3-4 in true road games this season. LCU, averaging 63.7 points per game on the road, are led in averages of 14.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game from Grace Foster. She is joined in double figures in scoring by Audrey Robertson, who averages 11.6 points per game on the road. LCU is averaging 5.1 more turnovers per game on the road (compared to the home team), as they average 17.7 turnovers per game on the road. Shaylee Stovall (13/29, 44.8%) and Rachel Haase (11/26, 42.3%) are each shooting over 40% from three-point range on the road this season. LCU (35.2%) is outshooting their opponents (27.1%) on the road from outside.

CONFERENCE CALL
Lubbock Christian is 8-4 in Lone Star Conference play and sits in a share of fourth place in the LSC (conference standings). A foursome of Lady Chaps pace the scoring attack in conference play, as Grace Foster (14.0, which is ninth in the LSC), Audrey Robertson (11.1), Maci Maddox (10.4) and Shaylee Stovall (10.3) are averaging double figures in scoring in conference contests. Foster is also averaging 9.1 rebounds per game in conference (second in LSC). LCU is averaging 70.0 points per game (third in the LSC) in conference (shooting 43.6% from the field) and they have a 12.5-point (second in LSC) scoring margin (defense ranks third the LSC holding opponents to 57.5 points per game). Maddox averages 5.3 assists per game (leads the LSC), which helps LCU lead the LSC with a pace of 14.6 per conference game. Their assist/turnover ratio of 0.92 ranks second in the LSC.
 
DIVIDING LINE
This season, the LSC returns to division play with an East and West division. The divisional leaders will represent the top two teams in the eight-team Lone Star Conference Championship (tournament) in Frisco, Texas. The remaining field of six teams will have their berth/seedings determined by conference record. LCU is 5-1 in West Division contests. Grace Foster leads LCU in divisional play with 16.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Audrey Robertson (13.2) joins Foster in scoring with averages in double figures per game. LCU averages 71.2 points per game and is holding opponents to 52.5 points per game for an 18.7 scoring margin. The Lady Chaps averages an 18.2 - 11.0 scoring advantage in the second quarter of play during divisional contests.
 
RANKING THINGS
LCU is 1-3 against nationally ranked programs this season, with a Dec. 17 win over No.15 MSU Billings in Las Vegas, Nev. representing their lone win so far against a ranked opponent this season. They fell in their season opener (Nov.5) to No.6 Southern Missouri State and to No.13 Georgia Southwestern State (Dec. 16) in neutral site games before falling at No.7 Texas Woman's. LCU went 6-0 against nationally ranked programs in 2020-21 and 3-2 in 2021-22 against the nations ranked foes (opened 3-0). The Lady Chaps have played four nationally ranked programs and seven programs either nationally ranked or receiving top-25 votes.
 
SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO
LCU, who went 13-0 at home last season, is 9-0 at home this season, which has their active home win streak sitting at 113 games (it is the active and all-time leading mark in NCAA Division II women's basketball). LCU's last home loss came on Jan. 1, 2015 against Oklahoma City University. LCU, who also has a 7-0 mark in NCAA postseason play in Lubbock in the mix (not including a 4-0 mark in LSC postseason play), has also won 88 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring Jan. 10, 2013 (against Oklahoma City). They completed a 49-0 all-time mark in Heartland Conference home games (they are 35-0 in LSC home games).
 
NCAA DIVISION II'S LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS
113 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 -->
87 - Neb.-Kearney Jan. 31, 1995-Nov. 24, 2001
85 - West Tex. A&M Jan. 9, 1987-Dec. 6, 1991
 
NCAA'S ACTIVE-LEADING HOME WIN STREAKS
113 – LCU (Division II)
36 – South Carolina (Division I)
35 – Christopher Newport (Division III),
35 – DeSales (Division III)
 
NCAA DIVISION LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS BY DIVISION
Division I – 99 – UConn 2006/07 – 2011/12
Division II - 113 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 -->
Division III – 121 – Amherst Jan. 31, 2009-Feb. 6, 2016 
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT MSU
1 > The Mustangs head into the week 5-14 on the season. They have a 3-10 mark in LSC play (1-6 in the West Division) and they are 4-6 in home games this season.
2 > MSU, who entered the season No.9 in the LSC Preseason Poll (they finished tied for ninth in the LSC last season with an 8-8 conference mark and 18-11 overall), has Natalie Stice (14.6 points) and Dyamon Griggs (12.6 points) leading the squad in LSC play. Stice averages 13.6 points per game overall to lead the squad.
3 > Natalie Stice is averaging 19.5 points over the last four games, which includes a 29-point performance on Jan. 14 against UTPB.
4 > MSU is fourth nationally in free-throws made per game with an average of 17.1. On Dec. 12, MSU was 35-of-46 from the free-throw line against St. Mary's, and followed with 23 free-throws made against Cameron on Dec. 17. They have made 20-or-more free-throws in a game six times this season.
5 > The Mustangs lead the LSC in blocks per game with 4.8, which is 11th nationally. Mandy Withey has 32 blocks on the season, which is second in the LSC and 22nd nationally. Her pace of 1.7 blocks per game ranks second in the LSC (27th nationally).

THE SERIES AGAINST MSU
The Mustangs command the all-time series with a 21-12 series record over LCU, which included 11 consecutive wins until LCU winning the prior five meetings. Included in a series of five straight LCU wins is a 74-63 LCU win on January 1 this season in Lubbock.  Each school has conflicting all-time records for the history of the two programs, as there were some MSU forfeitures in the mix, which enters into the confusion. The Lady Chaps are 1-14 all-time in Wichita Falls, but their prior visit (Dec. 21, 2019) resulted in their first-ever win at Ligon Coliseum (67-54). Of the prior 33 all-time meetings, the two programs have only met seven times since Steve Gomez's tenure as head coach of the Lady Chaps (he is 6-1 against MSU).

ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. MSU
LCU's active career leaders against MSU:

Grace Foster 2gp, 18.5 pts p/g, 9.0 reb. p/g
Maci Maddox 2gp, 7.5 pts p/g, 4.0 assists p/g
Shaylee Stovall 3gp, 6.7 pts pg, 3/6 3-FG

PRIOR MEETING VS. MSU
LUBBOCK, Texas (January 1, 2023) - Grace Foster produced 27 points and 14 rebounds in her fifth double-double performance of the season, as she helped Lubbock Christian University open 2023 with a 74-68 Lone Star Conference West Division victory over Midwestern State. The win was LCU's first home win ever on New Year's Day and it marked their 111^th consecutive home games inside Rip Griffin Center.

Foster had the biggest offensive performance by a Lady Chaps member inside Rip Griffin Center since Maddi Chitsey posted 28 points against St. Mary's on January 6, 2018. Her 14 rebounds were also the most by a Lady Chaps member at home this season.

Foster's performance did not rev up until the second quarter. Heading into the second quarter with the score tied 16-16, Foster had the first seven Lady Chaps points of the quarter. LCU overcame a pair of on-point deficits in the quarter and closed the final 5:17 of the half on a 12-2 run. Foster had four of the points in a 9-0 stretch included in the run. She had 15 points in the first half, as LCU had a 35-26 lead at the half.

Shaylee Stovall, who hit a three-pointer to open the 12-3 run in the second quarter, led LCU with five points in the third quarter. Each team had a 5-0 run in the back-and-forth paced quarter. MSU had a 10-4 scoring advantage in the paint during the quarter, as they kept the deficit at nine points (55-46) heading into the fourth quarter.

Dyamon Griggs opened the fourth quarter scoring for MSU and cut LCU's lead to 55-48, but it was as close as the Mustangs would get. Much of the fourth quarter was spent at the free-throw line (MSU had more points in the quarter from the line, 9, than from the field, 8). Each team had nine points in the quarter from the line. Foster led LCU in the fourth quarter with eight points and was 6-of-6 from the line to finish 11-of-10 from the charity stripe. The 11 made free-throws is the most by a Lady Chap since Laynee Burr made 11 on Feb. 3, 2022 (also against Midwestern State).

LCU, who had five players finish in double figures in points Friday against Cameron, had four players Sunday finish in double figures in scoring. Along with Foster's 27 points, LCU had 13 points from Stovall, 12 from Maci Maddox and 11 from Audrey Robertson, who led LCU with five points in the opening quarter. Maddox also added eight assists to her afternoon.

Midwestern State had 17 offensive rebounds leading to a 15-10 scoring advantage in second-chance scoring. Mathis led the Mustangs and finished with 12 points. She joined Griggs in double figures, as Griggs completed a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. MSU fell to 3-10 overall and 1-6 in conference play.