SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Coming off an 83-69 loss to Northern Michigan, the Lubbock Christian University men's basketball team takes on No. 18 Colorado School of Mines in the opening game of the LSC v RMAC Challenge Friday afternoon at Bill Greehey Arena with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m.
 
Lubbock Christian (1-1) vs No. 18 Colorado School of Mines (1-1)
Friday November 10, 2023 – 2:00 PM
Bill Greehey Arena – San Antonio, Texas
 
THE SERIES
Lubbock Christian is 3-5 all-time against Colorado School of Mines. The last time the two programs met was during last season's LSC v RMAC Challenge with Mines edging LCU 69-66 in Denver, Colo. The all-time series is tied 2-2 in neutral site meetings.
 
QUICK HITS

• Lubbock Christian has made 23 three pointers while limiting opponents to just 14 over two games. Six Chaps (Duncan, Muhammad, Dow, Morton, Caswell, and Gonzales) have hit a shot from behind the arc.
• The Chaps have been outrebounded 80 to 57 through two games, entering Friday with a -11.5 rebound per game margin.
• The LCU defense has forced 22 turnovers, scoring 13.5 points per game off these turnovers. The Chaps recorded 11 steals and five blocks in their first two games.
• Lubbock Christian is averaging 79 points per game shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 61 percent from the charity stripe.

 
THE FANTASTIC FOUR
Four Chaps are averaging double-digit points this season, with Ethan Duncan leading the way scoring 17 a game. Najeeb Muhammad has scored an efficient 16 points a game while shooting 70.6 percent from the field. Muhammad was named to the D2 CCA Tip-off Classic All-Tournament Team. Kendall Dow has added 15.5 points per game off the bench for the Chaps. He scored a career high 21 points in the opening night win over Lincoln Memorial.  Tiras Morton is averaging a double-double this season, with 13.5 points and 10 rebounds a game. He is also the team leader in blocks with three.
 
THE CHAPS VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS
Since joining the NCAA in the 2015-16 season, LCU has gone 12-20 against ranked opponents. Colorado School of Mines will be the Chaps second ranked opponent this season. LCU routed sixth ranked Lincoln Memorial 89-71 on opening night (Nov. 3).
 
LAST TIME OUT
Lubbock Christian fell 83-69 to Northern Michigan, at home on Sunday (Nov. 5). After an evenly matched first half, the Chaps struggled on the offensive end shooting 10-for-24 (41.67 percent) from the field and 0-for-9 from behind the arc in final 20 minutes. LCU cut the Wildcat lead to just five points with 4:02 remaining, but were outscored 16 to seven down the stretch. Ethan Duncan had a team-high 18 points for LCU in the loss while Tiras Morton recorded a 12-point, 12 rebound double-double.
 
LOOKING AT THE OREDIGGERS

• The Orediggers finished 26-6 in 2022-23, falling in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament to Black Hills State.
• Mines travels to San Antonio after splitting their opening weekend games at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Florida.
• The Orediggers dropped their season opener 69-51 to No. 16 Bentley but bounced back by beating No. 25 Mercyhurst 65-62.
• Redshirt Senior Majok Deng has led the way for Mines averaging 21 points and 3 rebounds in the opening weekend.
• Freshman Alex Romack made a huge impact in his first colligate action posting 5.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
• Graduate Student Sam Beskind averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds in the first two games.
• Deng and Beskind were named to the 2023 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic All-Tournament Team.
• Mines committed 31 turnovers in their first two games while only forcing 17.
• The Orediggers average 58 points per game with a 43.6 field goal percentage.
• Mines was picked third in the RMAC Preseason Poll and are ranked No. 18 in the nation (NABC).
• The Orediggers are coached by Pryor Orser who is in his 23^rd season at the helm.

A WIN WOULD

• Give the Chaps a 2-1 record.
• Be the 223^rd win in the Coach Duncan era.
• Give LCU their second win of the season over a ranked opponent.

 STAY SOCIAL
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Chaps by following the team on Twitter at LCU_ChapsMBball ,  on Instagram at LCU_Chap_Basketball and on Facebook at LCU Men's Basketball .