LUBBOCK, Texas - For the second straight game, Lubbock Christian shot over 55 percent from the field as the Chaps knocked off St. Mary's 77-69 on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Both sides traded barbs early, before a mini run for the Chaps (18-8, 14-6 LSC) highlighted by layups from Aaron Gonzales and Najeeb Muhammad, and punctuated by a Russell Harrison and-1 play gave LCU an early 11-5 lead with 16:17 left in the first. Caleb Jordan stopped the run with a three for the Rattlers (14-11, 11-9 LSC), but Harrison drove inside for another layup and the Chaparrals pulled in front 13-8.

Another Jordan jumper got the Rattlers within two, but a Rowan Mackenzie three-ball and a jumper, along with a layup from Gonzales pushed the LCU advantage to 25-18 with 8:45 left in the opening half. Ryan Leonard started a run for St. Mary's with a three-point play, before layups from Jalon Johnson and Edward Manuel got the Snakes within one, before an Emmanuel Ewuzie dunk gave the Rattlers the 28-27 lead with 6:55 remaining in the first.

Muhammad took the lead back for the Chaps with a three, while an old fashioned three-point play by Harrison gave the Chaparrals a 31-29 advantage. Mackenzie hit another jumper, and back-to-back makes from downtown by Harrison and Muhammad swelled the LCU bulge to 39-29 with 2:05 left in the first half. The two teams traded triples down the stretch, and back-to-back makes from Harrison and Mackenzie ballooned the advantage to 45-34 at the break.

Lubbock Christian picked up where they left off in the second half, with Muhammad and Harrison connecting right out of the gate to make it a 49-34 lead early in the second half. Yet another three-point play was capitalized upon by Harrison, and a triple from Mackenzie pushed the Chaparrals to a 59-43 lead with 13:19 remaining in the contest. 

Makes from Kurt Wegscheider and Gonzales kept the Rattlers at bay, and a layup from Vito Vujovic gave LCU their largest lead of the night, going up 69-50 with 9:09 remaining. Jumpers from Harrison and Gonzales continued to hold off St. Mary's, with LCU going up 75-59 at the final media timeout. Back-to-back threes from Jordan cut the lead down to single digits, but another Gonzales layup ended the run and LCU defeated St. Mary's 77-69. 

The Chaps shot 58.2 percent from the floor for the game, their second straight game shooting over 55 percent. LCU has shot at least 50 percent from the field in four straight games, and in five of the last six contests.

Mackenzie picked up his third double-double of the season, scoring 21 points and hauling in ten rebounds. The junior added five assists and also finished the game with a steal and a block.

Harrison almost picked up a double-double himself, leading the team with 22 points and pulling down eight boards. The Lubbock native handed out four assists and also had a block. Muhammad finished in double digits with 13 points and dished out five assists. Gonzales scored 11 points and pulled in three rebounds.

Jordan had an impressive game for the Rattlers with 28 points and shooting 6-for-10 (60 percent) from three. 

The Chaps close out the regular season next week with two games against rival West Texas A&M. The Rivalry on the Range begins with LCU heading to Canyon on Thrusday, Feb. 23. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.