WEST TEXAS A&M (20-9, 13-8) at LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (21-8, 16-5)
Feb. 25, 2023 • 1 PM
Lubbock, Texas • Rip Griffin Center (1,950)
 

RIVALRY ON THE RANGE
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
West Texas A&M	Canyon, Texas	Sat. Feb. 25	1 p.m.	Video	Stats

   
RIVALRY ON THE RANGE… RIP EDITION
The hardwood edition of Rivalry on the Range transitions from Canyon, Texas to the Rip Griffin Center in the Hub City with two scenarios existing to impact the Lone Star Conference Championship seedings. Lubbock Christian University and West Texas A&M tip-off Saturday (1 p.m.) inside Rip Griffin Center, and a win for the Lady Chaparrals would clinch the LSC's West Division and the No.2-seed in the eight-team championships (tournament) Mar. 2-5 at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. A loss by LCU would result in LCU being the co-divisional leaders with Angelo State and ASU would have the tiebreaker advantage, which would place LCU as the No.4-seed in Frisco.   
 
CANYONEERING
Maci Maddox (18 points), Grace Foster (17 points) and Martie McCoy (16 points) provided a scoring balance for Lubbock Christian University, as they ended West Texas A&M's 25-game home win streak with a 71-60 Lone Star Conference West Division victory inside First United Bank Center Thursday night.
 
Maddox finished a point shy from her career-high scoring mark, finishing with 18 points off 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Foster also finished with eight field goals and completed her 12th double-double of the season with 10 rebounds to go along with her 17 points. It is her third consecutive game with a double-double. McCoy posted a career night from the field, as she posted a career-high 16 points off 6-of-7 shooting from the field. She also had six boards and was a +17 in plus/minus in 24 minutes of play. LCU had a slim 12-9 advantage in forced turnovers, but LCU out-scored WT 16-9 in points-off-turnovers. The Lady Chaps claimed their sixth consecutive victory and they are 21-8 overall and 16-5 in the LSC.
 
IT'S ACADEMIC
The 2022-23 Academic AllDistrict® Women's Basketball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators (formerly known as CoSIDA), recognized the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom and included on their list were four Lubbock Christian University women's basketball student-athletes. Whitney Cox, Grace Foster, Audrey Robertson and Reese Schumann were each recognized for their classroom performance.

LCU, claiming four student-athlete Academic All-District recipients, posts their highest total of All-District selections since eligible at the NCAA level (2014-15 was their first season eligible). The quartet gives LCU 12 Academic All-District selections in women's basketball at the NCAA Div. II level in program history. LCU has received an All-District selection in all but one season in which they have been eligible to receive recognition.

In order to be selected to an academic all-district team, a student-athlete must demonstrate success on the playing field and in the classroom, with academic and athletic achievements taken into consideration. The student-athlete must possess a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA and be at least a sophomore in academic standing. 

SEASON NOTES AND TRENDS
> Grace Foster is sprinkled throughout the statistical leaderboard in the LSC, as she leads the LSC in double-doubles (with 12 to tie for 20^th nationally) and leads in rebounds (268, which is 16^th nationally), while ranking second in rebounds per game (9.2, which is 36^th nationally). She is 10 rebounds shy of breaking into the program's top five single-season marks in rebounds. On the offensive side, Foster leads the LSC in free-throw percentage (90.8%, seventh nationally) and is fifth in the LSC in scoring (15.4 points per game).

> LCU is second in the LSC in three-point shooting with a 33.5% shooting percentage from the perimeter this season. Opposing teams are shooting 24.5% from three-point range, which defensively places LCU atop the LSC in perimeter defense (fourth nationally). LCU's perimeter defense has held the opposition to a 20.5% three-point shooting percentage (49/239) over the last 15 games played. LCU has an 92-49 advantage in three-point field goals in the span.  

> Maci Maddox ranks third in the LSC with 127 assists (27^th nationally) and is fourth with 4.4 assists per game (44^th nationally). Defensively, Maddox ranks seventh in the LSC in steals (56) and eighth in steals per game (1.9).

>The Lady Chaps are averaging 37.3 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 (9.2) and Audrey Robertson (5.0) are each averaging 5.0-or-more rebounds per game. LCU sits third in the LSC in defensive rebounds per game (28.9, 24^th nationally) and eighth in overall rebounds per game (37.3).

> LCU has a 426-331 scoring advantage from the line this season against their opposition (however, LCU has been outscored 142-131 from the line on the road). They have at least 20 points scored from the line seven times this season. On the campaign, LCU is shooting 77.6% (426/549) from the line, which leads the LSC and ranks 14^th nationally. The Lady Chaps rank 30^th nationally and seventh in the LSC in free-throws made per game (14.7). Grace Foster is 108-of-119 (90.8%) from the line this season to lead LCU. Audrey Robertson (83-of-100, 83.3%, third in the LSC) joins Foster in the top-five in the LSC.

>The Lady Chaps are averaging 67.8 points per contest (averaged 65.9 per game last season), which ranks fifth in the LSC, and they have a trio of players averaging double figures in points. Grace Foster (15.4), Audrey Robertson (10.78) and Maci Maddox (10.2) lead the average scoring pace for the Lady Chaps.

>Defensively, Lubbock Christian is fifth in the LSC in blocks per game (3.2). Reese Schumann leads LCU in blocks (36), ranking third in the LSC (47^th nationally), and Grace Foster ranks 13^th in the LSC with 23 blocks. Schumann's average of 1.2 blocks per game ranks fourth in the LSC.

>LCU's has dominated third quarters this season, as they have a 517-386 scoring advantage in the third quarter this season (average scoring advantage of 17.8 - 13.3). The 17.8 points per third quarter scoring mark leads as their highest single-quarter scoring average of the four quarters this season, and their 13.3 points allowed per third quarter ranks as their second-best defensive quarter of the four quarters this season (allow 12.7 points per quarter in first quarter).

HOME NUMBERS
The Lady Chaps are 12-1 on the homecourt this season and averaging a margin of 20.3 points outscoring their opposition. Averaging 70.8 points at home, LCU has a trio of players averaging double figures in points. Grace Foster is averaging a double-double with 14.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, while Audrey Robertson (10.7) and Maci Maddox (10.2) complete the threesome of double-figure point producers at home. Maddox is also averaging 4.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game at home. Foster is 55-of-60 (91.7%) from the free-throw line, as LCU is 76.3% from the line at home (as a team) and outscoring opponents 219-138 from the line at home.

CONFERENCE CALL
Lubbock Christian is 15-5 in Lone Star Conference play and sits in fourth place in the LSC (conference standings). A duo of Lady Chaps pace the scoring attack in conference play, as Grace Foster (15.3, which is fifth in the LSC), Maci Maddox (10.2) and Audrey Robertson (10.1) are averaging double figures in scoring in conference contests. Foster is also averaging 9.1 rebounds per game in conference (fourth in LSC). LCU is averaging 67.4 points per game (third in the LSC) in conference (shooting a LSC-best 43.5% from the field) and they have a 12.4-point (leads the LSC) scoring margin (defense leads the LSC holding opponents to 55.0 points per game). Maddox averages 4.5 assists per game (fourth in the LSC), which helps LCU rank second in the LSC with a pace of 14.2 per conference game. Their assist/turnover ratio of 0.97 also ranks second in the LSC.
 
RANKING THINGS
LCU is 1-4 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 (Jan. 21) and at home against No.14 Angelo State (Feb.2). 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 five games against nationally ranked programs and eight games against programs either nationally ranked or receiving top-25 votes.
 
SPEAKING OF RANKINGS
Wednesday, the NCAA released their second South Central Region rankings (first rankings are listed alphabetically) and Lubbock Christian made the list at the No.5 spot. Here are the rankings, as eight programs will receive a berth to the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals:
1.Colorado School of Mines 
2.Angelo State 
3.Texas Woman's University 
4.Black Hills State 
5.Lubbock Christian 
6.Texas A&M-Kingsville 
7.The University of Texas at Tyler 
8.West Texas A&M 
9.Regis (Colorado) 
10.Westminster (Utah)
 
SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO
On Feb. 2, 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 11-1 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
 
NCAA DIVISION LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS BY DIVISION
Division I – 99 – UConn 2006/07 – 2011/12
Division II - 113 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 – Feb. 2, 2023
Division III – 121 – Amherst Jan. 31, 2009-Feb. 6, 2016 
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT WT
1 > The Lady Buffs are 20-9 on the season, with a 13-8 record in LSC play (sixth in the conference standings). They are 8-5 in the West Division this season.
2 > WT was the preseason favorites after claiming the LSC regular season title and LSC Championship (postseason tournament) title, which led to them to the NCAA Elite Eight. They had their season close with a 26-11 record after falling 103-56 to Glenville State in their opening game of the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Ala.
3 > Karley Motschenbacher leads the Lady Buffs offense with a scoring pace of 12.9 points per game. She returned to the lineup Thursday after a four-game absence and returned with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
4 > The Buffs lead the LSC with a scoring average of 69.3 points a game.
5 > WT leads the LSC and ranks 38^th nationally with an average of 7.7 three-pointers per game. Azia Himeur leads the pace with 1.79 per game (ranks 11^th in the LSC). Three players have at least 30 three-pointers on the season.

THE SERIES AGAINST WT
LCU and WT are separated by 110 miles, but the two teams have only met 13 prior times (10 meetings since 2020). LCU has an 8-5 series advantage, although WT has won three of the prior four meetings. The first ever meeting was on Nov. 16, 2001, with WT defeating LCU 90-53 in Canyon, Texas (LCU's 2001-02 season opener). The two teams played four times last season, with a non-conference contest in Lubbock (Dec. 7, 2021, LCU won 60-49), a conference tilt in Canyon (Feb. 10, 2022, WT won 55-48), a LSC Championship meeting (Semifinals) in Frisco (Mar. 5, 2022 in which WT won 63-58) and in the South Central Regional Championship Game in Canyon (Mar. 14, 2022. With WT winning 59-54). Of their 13 all-time meetings, three have been in NCAA postseason play (LCU has 2-1 record in NCAA postseason play). LCU won the previous meeting 71-60 Thursday in Canyon.
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. WT
LCU's active career leaders against WT:

Martie McCoy 1gp, 16 pts, 6/7 FG
Grace Foster 4gp, 9.5 pts p/g, 3/8 3-FG
Maci Maddox 4gp, 5.5 pts p/g, 9/16 FG

PRIOR MEETING VS. WT
CANYON, Texas (February 23, 2023) - Maci Maddox (18 points), Grace Foster (17 points) and Martie McCoy (16 points) provided a scoring balance for Lubbock Christian University, as they ended West Texas A&M's 27-game home win streak with a 71-60 Lone Star Conference West Division victory inside First United Bank Center.

The lead went back and forth in the opening quarter of the game. Trailing 3-0, LCU received their first five points from McCoy, who drained a three-pointer for a 5-3 LCU lead two minutes into the game. The Lady Buffs responded with a 5-0 run to regain the lead at 8-5. The Lady Chaps closed the first quarter on an 8-2 run, with four points from Maddox to put LCU up 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.

There were a pair of lead changes in the second quarter, and with 4:26 remaining in the half, the game was tied 25-25. LCU closed the half on a 9-3 scoring surge, with Rachel Haase hitting a big three-pointer (3:40 left in the half) and Foster muscling up an inside bucket with less than five seconds left in the frame to give LCU a 34-28 halftime lead.

The 9-3 run turned into a 13-3 run after field goals from McCoy and Maddox put LCU up 38-28 two minutes into the second half. Audrey Robertson nailed a three-pointer two minutes later to build the LCU lead to 47-34. Maddox (4-of-4) and McCoy (2-of-2) combined for a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in the quarter, as LCU shot 72.7% (8-of-11) in the quarter to take a 53-43 lead into the final stanza. Maddox led LCU with eight points in the quarter.

With 7:59 remaining in the game, LCU was able to pull away while leading 55-49. Foster had five points and Shaylee Stovall connected on a three-pointer to put together a 9-1 run for a 64-50 advantage with four minutes remaining. McCoy was perfect from downtown (2-of-2), with her second three-pointer part of a 5-0 run to give LCU their largest lead of the game with 2:16 to-go (69-52). Foster and Stovall each had five points in the final quarter for the Lady Chaps.

Maddox finished a point shy from her career-high scoring mark, finishing with 18 points off 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Foster also finished with eight field goals and completed her 12th double-double of the season with 10 rebounds to go along with her 17 points. It is her third consecutive game with a double-double. McCoy posted a career night from the field, as she posted a career-high 16 points off 6-of-7 shooting from the field. She also had six boards and was a +17 in plus/minus in 24 minutes of play. LCU had a slim 12-9 advantage in forced turnovers, but LCU out-scored WT 16-9 in points-off-turnovers.

WT fell despite a game-high 20 points from Nyalam Thabach, who also added eight rebounds. Karley Mostschenbacher added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Lady Buffs had a 7-0 advantage in blocked shots.