PORTALES, N.M. (February 11, 2023) – Lubbock Christian University overcame 13 turnovers in the second half with 52% shooting from the field in the half and Maci Maddox supplying 12 of her 14 points in the stanza to help lead the Lady Chaparrals to a 66-61 Lone Star Conference West Division road win over Eastern New Mexico Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena. Grace Foster supplied the Lady Chaps with her ninth double-double performance (17 points, 10 rebounds) of the season in the process to help keep LCU atop the West Division standings with a 10-2 divisional record.
 
It was a game of chase that LCU had to hold on. Neither team had more than a 6-0 run. Over the final 35 minutes of the game, LCU never trailed, but they never led by more than eight points.
 
Ashley Shipley connected with a three-pointer to cap a 5-0 run 3:43 into the contest and ENMU led 5-4, but it would be the lone time ENMU led in the game and they held the lead for 1:43. Martie McCoy drew a foul (made both free-throws) and Shaylee Stovall converted on her only three-pointer of the game to give LCU a 9-5 lead. LCU went the next 3:21 without a field goal, but closed the first quarter with a layup from Audrey Spurgin for a 14-12 lead.
 
ENMU had two shot attempts to take the lead in the second quarter, but the shots did not fall. LCU never trailed in the quarter despite the game being tied on three occasions in the frame. Foster, who was scoreless in the first quarter, carried the Lady Chaps in the second quarter with eight points. She had four field goals in the quarter, with two of them tallied with the game tied and two made with LCU having a one-possession lead. Her last was scored inside the final minute of the half and was a prelude to a Carli Bostwick shot prior to the horn to give LCU a 28-24 halftime lead.
 
Foster opened the second half with a layup 30 seconds into the half, but ENMU responded with a 5-0 run to cut LCU's lead to 30-29. Lazurea Saunders launched a three-pointer to give ENMU a lead but it was unsuccessful and LCU had a three-point play at the other end with Foster making a free-throw for a 33-29 advantage. With LCU leading 38-33 with 4:47 left in the quarter, Maddox dialed in for a three-pointer and it started an 8-2 run capped by a Maddox field goal for a 43-35 lead with under three minutes remaining in the quarter. Julieta Ceja hit a three-pointer for ENMU with 1:33 left in the quarter, but 14 seconds later Maddox answered it with a three-pointer. Maddox produced nine points in the third quarter and LCU took a 49-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
ENMU cut the game down to a one-possession game on five occasions in the fourth quarter, but LCU made sure the Greyhounds did not have one shot attempt to take the lead or tie the game. LCU was 5-of-8 from the field on shot attempts while it was a one-possession game. Maddox had one of the biggest near the midway point of the quarter. Shipley drilled a three-pointer to cut the LCU lead to 53-51, but Maddox answered with a three-pointer at the other end less than 30 seconds later. Foster had LCU's final bucket with two minutes remaining, as it put LCU up 60-55. LCU scored their final six points from the free-throw line to complete the regular season sweep of the Greyhounds.
 
Maddox was 4-of-6 from the field in the second half and was 3-of-4 from long range. She finished with 14 points to join Audrey Robertson (10 points) and Foster (17 points) in double figures. Foster led LCU from the field and in boards with 10 rebounds. LCU overcame 19 turnovers in the game, as they were fortunate ENMU did not outscore LCU more than the 10-7 advantage they did in points-off-turnovers (ENMU turned it over 11 times).
 
ENMU received a team-leading 15 points in the game from Shipley. They also had 13 points from Edecia Beck and 11 points from Deja Adrian.  The Greyhounds launched 28 three-point attempts (matched the most by an LCU opponent this season), connecting on seven of the attempts (25%).
 
The Greyhounds fell to 12-11 overall and 9-9 in conference with the loss. Their edge in the all-time series slips to 24-20, as LCU has won 16 of the last 19 meetings. They improve to 6-16 all-time against ENMU in Portales.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU was 8-of-12 from the field in the third quarter (66.7%).  Over a nine-minute stretch in the frame, LCU was 8-of-10 from the field. It was vital, as even with the hot shooting, LCU was unable to extend the lead more than an eight-point margin.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU posted 46 rebounds (tied for second-most on the season) and had a season-best +16 rebound margin with a 46-30 advantage on boards. LCU matched a season high with 13 offensive rebounds, which led to 15 second chance points (also matching a season high).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU is back home Thursday and will host St. Edward's at 5:30 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.