LSC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (6-2) at ARKANSAS FORT SMITH (2-5)
Dec. 2, 2023 • 1 PM
Fort Smith, Ark. • Stubblefield Center (2,900)
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
UAFS	Fort Smith, Ark.	Fri. Dec. 2	1 p.m.	Video	Stats

ONE LAST LSC TIME
Lubbock Christian University makes their final Lone Star Conference voyage to Fort Smith, Ark. Saturday, as they face Arkansas Fort Smith, who is in their final season as members of the LSC (leaving for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Tip-off inside Stubblefield Center is scheduled at 1 p.m., as LCU aims to remain perfect (1-0) in LSC play and to build on a 6-2 overall record.
 
SEVENTEEN FOREVER
Saturday at No.12 Southern Nazarene, Southern Nazarene built a 17-point lead and dodged an LCU comeback, as LCU fell 67-64. Thursday, it was LCU's turn to play with a 17-point lead, as they escaped The Eagles' Nest in Oklahoma City with a 69-65 win over Oklahoma Christian. The Lady Eagles mounted a furious comeback in the second half, but LCU was able to prevail behind a career-high 20-point performance from Audrey Robertson. LCU also had 17 points from Grace Foster (also added nine rebounds) and 14 points from Maci Maddox in the win, which put LCU 2-1 on the road this season.
 
SEASON NOTES AND TRENDS
> LCU opened the season with at least 20 points from the free-throw line in their first four games this season, marking their first four-game span of 20-or-more free-throws since Feb. 18 – Mar.23, 2017. The Lady Chaps are taking advantage from the free-throw line, making 82.5% of their attempts (141/171, which is ninth nationally) and averaging 17.6 points a game from the line (14^th nationally). Grace Foster has gone 13-of-13 from the free-throw line twice this season and had an active streak of 29 consecutive made free-throws made end Thursday. Each of the 13-made free-throw performances involve the most free-throws made in a game (13) since Nicole Hampton had 15 on Jan. 14, 2016 (third-most since 2008). Foster had 13 on Nov. 5 against Adams State at home, which set a Rip Griffin Center record. Foster's 13-of-13 marks are each one off Hampton's 14-of-14 school-record performance on Jan. 14, 2016 (at Newman). Fosters 13-of-13 on Nov.5 did mark a new Rip Griffin Center record previously held by Laynee Burr, who was 12-of-12 on Feb. 4, 2022 (against Midwestern State). The performance at the line for Foster on Nov. 12 against CSU Pueblo marked her sixth game in which she was perfect from the line with six-or-more consecutive shots made. Foster is 51-of-56 on the season (.911, second in the LSC), which leads the squad (of qualifiers). Shaylee Stovall, who is 18-of-19 (94.7%), is two-made free-throws away from qualifying as the team's leader (NCAA minimum to qualify is 2.5 made free-throws per game). Stovall enters Saturday with an active streak of 17 consecutive made free-throws.

> The Lady Chaps have two players in the top-10 in LSC scoring so far this season. Foster is averaging 16.9 points per game, which has her fourth in the LSC. Maci Maddox is ranking 10th in the LSC with 14.6 points per game. The pair are also in top-10 in minutes played, with Maddox leading the conference (11th in the nation) with 37.4 minutes played per game (Foster is eighth in LSC at 31.8). Maddox is seventh in the LSC with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.3.

> Foster is averaging 6.8 rebounds per game (12th in the LSC), but is third in the LSC averaging 6.5 defensive rebounds per game. She led the LSC last season with a pace of 7.5 defensive rebounds per game.
 
> Maci Maddox is 35th nationally in steals with 18 on the season (third in LSC) and ranks eighth in the LSC with a pace of 2.3 steals per game. She opened the season with at least one steal in the first seven games and had steals in 10 consecutive games (dating back to last season) end Thursday at Oklahoma Christian. Maddox opened last season with at least one steal in the first 11 games.
 
> LCU has shot at least 50% from the field in two of their last four games and three of their eight games this season. As a team, LCU leads the LSC and eighth nationally with a 47.5% shooting percentage from the field. LCU leads the LSC and is 17^th in three-point shooting, as they are 38-of-98 (38.8%) from long range.  
 
MILESTONE
Grace Foster enters Saturday 31 points shy of 1,000 career points. The last Lady Chaps member to reach 1,000 career points is Ashton Duncan, who hit the mark Feb. 17, 2022 against Eastern New Mexico.
 
CONFERENCE OPENERS
This season marks LCU's fifth season in the Lone Star Conference. Thursday's game marked LCU's conference opener and the game was their 30th conference opener (six Heartland Conference and 19 Sooner Athletic Conference openers prior to joining the LSC). The Lady Chaps are now 4-1 in LSC openers. They went 11-8 all-time in SAC openers and 5-1 in HC openers. They are now 18-3 all-time in conference openers
under head coach Steve Gomez and they have won 17 of their last 19 consecutive conference openers. They have defeated Oklahoma Christian in two consecutive openers.

NATIONALLY KNOWN (OR UNKNOWN)
Despite returning five starters from a regional-finalist squad, which also shared a divisional title, LCU did not garner the attention of voters in the preseason. This season, LCU received Top-25 votes in the WBCA Preseason Poll, but it is their first time they did not make the Top-25 for a WBCA preseason poll since the start of the 2017-18 season (second time not in a WBCA Preseason Poll since becoming eligible for the poll in 2015-16… WBCA did not conduct a preseason poll in 2020-21 due to COVID). Also, since joining NCAA Division II (2015-16 was their first postseason eligible season), the Lady Chaps have appeared in every D2CSC Preseason Poll until this season, as they also received votes in the D2CSC Top-25 Preseason Poll. The WBCA and D2CSC each have LCU receiving votes in their latest Top-25 national poll. LCU was ranked No.22 and No.18 before their loss at No.12 Southern Nazarene knocked them out of their poll.

SO ARE SOME OTHERS
LCU fell to No.12 Southern Nazarene Saturday, placing them with a 0-2 record this season against nationally ranked programs (lost to No.17 Union in their season opener). LCU went 6-0 against nationally ranked programs in 2020-21, 3-2 in 2021-22 (opened 3-0) and 2-5 last season against Top-25 competition. LCU's only two losses this season have come against nationally ranked competition.

ROAD REVELATIONS
The Lady Chaparrals, who went 8-4 on the road last season, is off to a 2-1 road record this season. They edged Colorado Christian 67-62 in overtime in Lakewood, Colo. on Nov. 10 prior to Thursday's win at Oklahoma Christian for their two road wins on the young season. The Lady Chaps had a six-game win streak in regular season non-conference road games snapped Saturday (at No.12 Southern Nazarene), which a streak that has spanned since falling at Cameron on Dec. 8, 2019 (LCU was a Heartland Conference member that season). Grace Foster leads LCU in road scoring with 16.0 points a game. LCU has three players averaging double-figures in scoring on the road, as Audrey Robertson (13.3) and Macy Maddox (12.7) join Foster. Foster also leads LCU with 5.7 rebounds in road-play. LCU is shooting 80.3% (49/61) from the line on the road, compared to 53.1% (17/32) by the home team (Grace Foster is 19-of-21 from the line on the road and is single-handedly outscoring home teams from the line). Maddox is showing balance on the road, as she has 2.0 steals and 3.7 assists per game to go along with her 12.7 points per game.

SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO
The Lady Chaps, who went 12-2 at home last season, are 3-1 this season at home. On Feb. 2, 2023, the NCAA Division II record home win streak came to a close, as LCU fell to Angelo State, which ended the record win streak at 113. The loss was LCU's first at home since Jan. 1, 2015 against Oklahoma City University. LCU, who also had a 7-0 mark in NCAA postseason play in Lubbock in the mix (not including a 4-0 mark in LSC postseason play), had also won 88 consecutive home conference games (their last conference home loss occurred Jan. 10, 2013 against Oklahoma City). They completed a 49-0 all-time mark in Heartland Conference home games (they are 35-1 in LSC home games). LCU also went 11-0 during their 113-game home win streak against nationally ranked programs.

NCAA DIVISION II'S LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS
113 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 - Feb. 2, 2023
87 - Neb. Kearney Jan. 31, 1995-Nov. 24, 2001
85 - West Tex. A&M Jan. 9, 1987-Dec. 6, 1991

EYE-OPENING
The 2023-24 season marks LCU's 11th since leaving the NAIA and LCU is 272-48 record (85.0%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 24-3 all-time (88.9%).
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT UAFS
1 > The Lions are coming off a 10-18 season from last season, which included a conference record of 8-14 and a 3-11 record in the East Division to share seventh place in the eight-team division. They closed their season with a 3-1 mark over their final four games.
2 > UAFS is 2-5 on the season and seeking to end a five-game losing streak. The Lions opened the season with consecutive wins at home over Westminster, but have since gone 0-5. They are 2-3 at home this season. They host West Texas A&M Thursday, falling 81-73 to West Texas A&M. UAFS fell despite five players finishing in double figures in scoring (led by 15 points from Baylee Fincher).
3 > The Lions are picked to finish 14th in the LSC this season, as they took the No.15 spot (of 16) in the conference's Preseason Coaches' Poll.
4 > UAFS ranks second in the LSC in three-point defense, as they are 74^th nationally in holding opponents to a 26.8% shooting mark from three-point range. Opponents are shooting 33-of-123 against UAFS (26.8%) this season.
5 > The Lions enter Saturday ranking third in the LSC with 3.0 blocks per game. Forward Sinetra Jones ranks fourth with 1.4 blocks per game.

THE SERIES AGAINST UAFS
LCU has won the last nine meetings and has a 16-1 all-time advantage over UAFS. All meetings have been since joining the Heartland Conference. LCU is 6-0 all-time inside Stubblefield Center against UAFS, including their prior meeting (Feb. 15, 2020), as LCU defeated UAFS 71-63.
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. UAFS
Top-three LCU active career leaders against UAFS:
 
Grace Foster 3gp 14.3 points p/g, 8.5 rebounds p/g, 6/11 3-fg
Audrey Robertson 3gp, 8.3 points p/g, 2.3 assists p/g
Shaylee Stovall 3gp, 6.3 points p/g, 8/8 ft, 5/8 fg
 
PREVIOUS RECAP VS. UAFS
Dec. 3, 2022 (Lubbock, Texas) – LCU:76 - UAFS:49
Lubbock Christian University had an outburst of 31 points in the fourth quarter, outscoring Arkansas Fort Smith 45-21 in the second half, as they claimed a 76-49 Lone Star Conference victory over the Lady Lions inside Rip Griffin Center.

LCU never trailed in the game, but they never had a lead more than eight points until late in the third quarter. For the first nine minutes of the third quarter, LCU's lead fluctuated between a four to eight-point advantage. Reese Schumann had a field goal with 52 seconds left in the quarter to give LCU their first double-figure lead of the game. Schumann led LCU with five points in the quarter.

Grace Foster helped supply the offensive surge in the fourth quarter. She produced LCU's first five points of the quarter and it was part of a 9-2 run to start the quarter for a 54-39 lead. Foster helped turn it into a 15-4 run with another three-pointer three minutes into the frame. LCU closed the game on an 11-3 run, featuring three-pointers from Tia Johnson and Martie McCoy. The Lady Chaps were 4-of-6 from three-point range in the quarter and 9-of-12 from the field (75%). Foster (8 points) and Whitney Cox (6 points) combined for 14 points in the quarter.

The second half helped LCU put the game away, as the opening half was filled with missed opportunities for both squads. LCU used a 6-0 run to break from a 7-6 lead and paced to an 18-14 lead behind four points in the quarter from Audrey Robertson.

LCU had an eight-point advantage on five occasions in the first half, with three leads of the margin in the second quarter. UAFS had a 5-0 run with 1:42 remaining in the half to trim LCU's lead to 28-25. UAFS had a pair of possessions to add to the run, but a pair of three-point attempts, which would have tied the score, were unsuccessful. LCU, with four points from Shaylee Stovall in the quarter, took a 31-28 lead into the half.

Foster led LCU in the game with 14 points. She was 4-of-8 from the field, which included going 3-of-6 from long range. She also added eight rebounds and was a +29 in plus/minus. Foster was one of four Lady Chaps in double figures in scoring. Robertson (13 points), Stovall (12 points) and Cox (10 points) each had big contributions to the LCU offense. LCU used a 20-12 advantage in turnovers for a 18-7 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.

UAFS (2-6, 0-2) fell despite a game-high 20 points from Aaliyah Prince. Sinetra Jones added 10 rebounds and helped UAFS to a 39-36 rebound advantage, which aided a 13-6 scoring advantage in second-chance scoring. The Lady Lions entered the game second in the LSC in three-point shooting, but was held to a 2-of-13 shooting mark beyond the arc (15.4%)..

LCU had their best defensive quarter in the second quarter, holding UAFS to 35.3% (6/17) from the field in the frame. It did not appear it was heading that direction to start the quarter as the Lady Lions opened the quarter on a 6-0 run over the opening 2:25 of the quarter to cut LCU's lead to 20-19. Middleton ended the UAFS run with a deuce and Channing Cunyus followed with a three-pointer to help LCU respond on a 9-2 run for a 29-21 lead. LCU received 14 points in the opening half from Middleton and LCU led 35-27 at the half.

Even when not scoring, LCU was scoring. LCU had a 1-of-5 shooting stretch to start the third quarter (they did not miss more than two consecutive shots following the sequence) , but still outscored UAFS 4-2 in the opening four minutes of the half. Middleton had the first four points of the half and Madelyn Turner nailed a three-pointer to help LCU to a 7-0 run for a 42-29 lead with 5:49 left in the period. Maddi Chitsey provided LCU their biggest lead of the game (49-34) with a three-pointer as 4:26 remained in the quarter. LCU produced their second-lowest three-point total of the season (four in the game), but they hit three in the quarter, with Ashton Duncan closing the quarter with a triple for a 57-44 lead heading into the final frame.

The Lady Chaps shot 52.4% (11/21) in the second half and received seven points off 3-of-4 shooting from Caitlyn Cunyus in the fourth quarter to help hold off UAFS. The Lady Lions never cut LCU's lead inside an eight-point margin and had their four-game win streak snapped.

Middleton was joined in double figures by Chitsey (14 points) and Caitlyn Cunyus (11 points). The Lady Chaps, who were 51.1% (23/45) from the field, also took advantage of 25 free-throw attempts by making 21 attempts. The Lady Chaps had not had more than 13 free-throw attempts in their last six games and the 21 points from the line matched their second-most in a game this season. Middleton (6-of-6) and Chitsey (6-of-5) were a combined 12-of-13 from the line, as LCU outscored UAFS 21-10 from the line (second-highest margin of the season).

Tamera Gulley did complete a double-double for UAFS with 14 rebounds and 11 points. Ashanti Eden led the Lady Lions with 19 points and Leiloni Culley contributed 15 points.