LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (16-8, 11-5) at WESTERN NEW MEXICO (7-13, 5-11)
Feb. 9, 2023 • 6:30 PM CT
Silver City, N.M. • Drag's Court (1,100)
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
Western N.M.	Silver City, N.M.	Thur., Feb. 9	6:30 p.m.	Video	Stats
Eastern N.M.	Portales, N.M.	Sat. Feb. 11	2 p.m.	Video	Stats
GAME NOTES (PDF)

TRIP OF ENCHANTMENT
Lubbock Christian University hits the road for a pair of Lone Star Conference West Division road games in New Mexico, with stops in Silver City, N.M. to face Western New Mexico (Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT) and Portales, N.M. to battle Eastern New Mexico (Saturday at 2 p.m. CT). The Lady Chaps head onto the road to play two of their final three remaining home games of the regular season. LCU heads into the week in a three-way tie for third place of the LSC standings with an 11-5 conference mark. In the West Division, LCU is tied with West Texas A&M, as each are 8-2 in the division and behind a 9-2 Angelo State squad. LCU's magic number to clinch a LSC Championship tournament berth is "two."    
 
AFTERMATH
Return to the hardwood for the first time since having their 113-game home win streak snapped, Lubbock Christian University outscored UT Permian Basin 41-14 in the first half off 63.6% shooting from the field in the span to cruise past the Falcons 70-50 in a Lone Star Conference West Division meeting Saturday inside Rip Griffin Center.
 
The Lady Chaps received point-production from 12 of their 13 players, with Grace Foster (13 points) and Audrey Robertson (11 points) finishing in double digits. LCU finished 53.2% (25/47) from the field and 45% (9/20) from three-point range. They were also 11-of-12 (91.7%) from the free-throw line.

SEASON NOTES AND TRENDS
> Grace Foster is sprinkled throughout the statistical leaderboard in the LSC, as she is second in the LSC in double-doubles (with eight to tie for 37^th nationally) and leads in rebounds (220, which is 20^th nationally), while ranking second in rebounds per game (9.2, which is 44^th nationally). On the offensive side, Foster leads the LSC in free-throw percentage (90.2%, 10^th nationally) and fifth in the LSC in scoring (15.1 points per game).
> LCU leads the LSC in three-point shooting with a 34.5% shooting percentage from the perimeter this season, which has them 44^th nationally. Opposing teams are shooting 25.3% from three-point range, which defensively places LCU second in the LSC in perimeter defense (13th nationally). LCU's perimeter defense has held the opposition to a 20.5% three-point shooting percentage (33/161) over the last 10 games played. LCU has a 70-33 advantage in three-point field goals in the span.  
> Maci Maddox leads the LSC with 111 assists (16^th nationally) and is third with 4.6 assists per game (34^th nationally). Defensively, Maddox ranks sixth in the LSC in steals (48) and seventh in steals per game (2.0).
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 37.7 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 (5.3) are each averaging 5.0-or-more rebounds per game. LCU sits second in the LSC in defensive rebounds per game (29.5, 16^th nationally) and eighth in overall rebounds per game (37.7).
> LCU has a 356-287 scoring advantage from the line this season against their opposition (however, LCU has been outscored 116-92 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 77.2% (356/461) from the line, which leads the LSC and ranks 16^th nationally. The Lady Chaps rank 24th nationally and fifth in the LSC in free-throws made per game (14.8). Grace Foster is 92-of-102 (90.2%) from the line this season to lead LCU. Audrey Robertson (67-of-83, 80.7%, fifth in the LSC) and Shaylee Stovall (50-of-62, 80.6%) are each shooting at least 80.0% from the line (of those reaching minimum requirements).
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 69.3 points per contest (averaged 65.9 per game last season), which ranks third in the LSC, and they have a trio of players averaging double figures in points. Grace Foster (15.1) and Audrey Robertson (11.1) lead the average scoring pace for the Lady Chaps.
>Defensively, Lubbock Christian is fifth in the LSC in blocks per game (3.3). Reese Schumann leads LCU in blocks (33), ranking third in the LSC (32^nd nationally), and Grace Foster ranks 13th in the LSC with 20 blocks. Schumann's average of 1.4 blocks per game ranks fourth in the LSC.
>LCU's has dominated third quarters this season, as they have a 431-327 scoring advantage in the third quarter this season (average scoring advantage of 20.5 - 13.6). The 20.5 points per third quarter scoring mark leads as their highest single-quarter scoring average of the four quarters this season, and their 13.6 points allowed per third quarter ranks as their second-best defensive quarter of the four quarters this season (allow 13.3 points per quarter in first quarter).

ROAD ROCK'
The Lady Chaps are 5-4 in true road games this season. LCU, averaging 63.9 points per game on the road, are led in averages of 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game from Grace Foster. LCU is averaging 4.2 more turnovers per game on the road (compared to the home team), as they average 15.7 turnovers per game on the road. Shaylee Stovall (17/38, 44.7%) and Rachel Haase (15/37, 40.5%) are each shooting over 40% from three-point range on the road this season. LCU (35.4%) is outshooting their opponents (25.0%) on the road from outside.

CONFERENCE CALL
Lubbock Christian is 11-5 in Lone Star Conference play and sits in a share of fourth place in the LSC (conference standings). A duo of Lady Chaps pace the scoring attack in conference play, as Grace Foster (14.8, which is sixth in the LSC) and Audrey Robertson (10.1) are averaging double figures in scoring in conference contests. Foster is also averaging 9.0 rebounds per game in conference (second in LSC). LCU is averaging 68.5 points per game (third in the LSC) in conference (shooting 43.8% from the field) and they have a 12.7-point (second in LSC) scoring margin (defense leads the LSC holding opponents to 55.8 points per game). Maddox averages 4.9 assists per game (leads the LSC), which helps LCU lead the LSC with a pace of 14.6 per conference game. Their assist/turnover ratio of 0.98 leads the LSC.
 
DIVIDING LINE
This season, the LSC returns to division play with an East and West division. The divisional leaders will represent the top two teams in the eight-team Lone Star Conference Championship (tournament) in Frisco, Texas. The remaining field of six teams will have their berth/seedings determined by conference record. LCU is 8-2 in West Division contests. Grace Foster leads LCU in divisional play with 16.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Audrey Robertson (10.8) joins Foster in scoring with averages in double figures per game. LCU averages 68.3 points per game and is holding opponents to 51.8 points per game for a 16.5 scoring margin. The Lady Chaps averages an 18.2 - 10.9 scoring advantage in the second quarter of play during divisional contests.
 
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.
 
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 WNMU
1 > The Mustangs are 13-9 overall on the season, with a 7-13 record in LSC play (12th in the conference standings). They are fifth in the West Division with a 4-6 divisional record.
2 > WNMU finished with a 6-17 overall record and finished 16th in the LSC with a 2-13 conference mark. They came into this season with a No.16 LSC Preseason pick.
3 > The 'stangs are 6-4 at home this season. They have not a winning record at home since a 9-4 home record in 2014-15 (they were members of the RMAC at the time).
4 > The Mustangs rank fourth in the LSC and 59th nationally in rebound margin with a 4.3 margin.
5 > Sydney Wright is third in the LSC in three-point attempts this season with 149 (41^st nationally). She makes 2.19 per game, which is sixth in the LSC.

THE SERIES AGAINST WNMU
The Mustangs and Lady Chaps are set to meet for the 26th time in an all-time series that dates back to 1980. WNMU has not defeated the Lady Chaps since 1994, which has led to LCU taking a 15-10 series advantage. LCU has won the prior 11 meetings, with the latest resulting in an 67-50 LCU win Jan. 14 in Lubbock, Texas. LCU is 5-3 in Silver City, N.M. against WNMU (four straight wins), with Dec. 11, 2021 marking the prior visit (67-39 LCU win). The 2019-20 season's home-and-home conference schedule marked the first time the two teams had a home-and-home set scheduled in a single season since 1994, when each were members of the NAIA.
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. WNMU
LCU's active career leaders against WNMU:

Grace Foster 3gp, 10.3 pts p/g, 5.3 reb.
Audrey Robertson 5gp, 4.8 pts p/g
Reese Schumann 3gp, 4.7 pts p/g, 2.0 blocks p/g

PRIOR MEETING VS. WNMU
LUBBOCK, Texas (January 14, 2023) - Grace Foster produced a second straight double-double performance (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Reese Schumann (6 blocks) and Audrey Spurgin (9 points) each had career-high performances, which helped Lubbock Christian University get a second half surge to top Western New Mexico 67-50. The Lone Star Conference West Division victory for LCU marked their 112th consecutive home win inside Rip Griffin Center.

LCU overcame a sluggish first half in which there were three lead changes and the score tied on seven occasions. The Mustangs led for 8:25 of the 12:32 in which the game was not tied in the first half. WNMU ended the first half scoreless over the final 6:57, but they opened the second half scoring with a three-pointer from Susi Namao to cut LCU's lead to 24-22. WNMU's first two buckets of the second half were three-pointers, but the following three pointer (from Sydney Wright) was the only Mustangs points mixed into an 11-3 LCU run. Audrey Robertson had a pair of field goals and Stovall capped the run with a three-pointer with 6:26 left in the quarter for a 35-25 LCU lead. Mix in an 8-0 LCU run, which included a three-point play from Foster, and LCU would go on a 19-5 scoring surge for a 43-27 advantage with 3:15 left in the third quarter (LCU had a sequence in which they were 8-of-10 from the field in the third quarter). Foster closed the quarter with a three-pointer and LCU led 48-31 at the close of the quarter.

Spurgin came alive in the fourth quarter for LCU, scoring their first six points of the quarter. The Lady Chaps never let their lead slip under 17 points and led as much as 23 (67-44 with 1:41 remaining) after Rachel Haase opened a 7-2 run with a three-pointer.

Foster and Spurgin co-led LCU in second half scoring with eight points apiece. Ten (10) different Lady Chaps figured into the scoring in the second half and LCU shot 58.6% (17/29) from the field.

The numbers were huge improvement over the first half. LCU opened the game shooting 26.7% from the field in the first quarter and shot 25.8% (8/31) in the first half. The two teams combined to make one three-pointer on 14 attempts. The one trey was by LCU's Shaylee Stovall and it was connected on LCU's ninth attempt, as they ended the half 1-of-11 (9.1%) from long distance in the half. WNMU led as much as four points and LCU's largest lead of the first half came off a 9-0 run to end the half with a 24-19 lead.

Foster's double-double was her conference-leading seventh of the season. Schumann, whose career-high six blocks is the most by a Lady Chaps member this season, finished with 10 points and eight rebounds (was also a +24 in plus/minus), and joined Foster as the only other Lady Chaps member to finish with at least 10 points. The Audreys (Robertson and Spurgin) each finished with nine points. LCU finished the game shooting 41.7% from the field (25/60) and they were 50% (21/42) inside the arc (63.6% in the second half). Defensively, LCU held WNMU to 30.9% (21/68) shooting and they posted a season-high eight blocks.

WNMU received a double-double from Diamond Moore, who posted 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mustangs in each category. Namao finished with 12 points to join Moore in double figures.