2023 LONE STAR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS - QUARTERFINALS
No.5-Seed TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE (18-10) vs. No.4-Seed LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (21-9)
Mar. 2, 2023 • 8:30 PM
Frisco, Texas • Comerica Center (6,000)
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
No.5-seed TAMUK	Frisco, Texas	Thur. Mar. 2	8:30 p.m.	Video	Stats
GAME NOTES (PDF)

   
MARCH TO MADNESS BEGINS
The West Division Co-Champion Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals head to the Lone Star Conference Championships at the No.4-seed and they open their LSC Championship play Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. facing No.5-seed Texas A&M-Kingsville. This season marks LCU's fourth season in the LSC and this is the first season in which the tournament is an eight-team field (it was 12 the prior three seasons), so all eight teams in the field play their first games of the championships in Frisco, Texas with quarterfinal action Thursday.
 
THE "IF's"
IF LCU WINS: If the Lady Chaps defeat TAMUK, they will improve to 22-9 on the season and will advance to the tournament Semifinals game to face either No.1-seed Texas Woman's or No.8-seed St. Edward's Saturday at 2:30p.m. in Frisco.

IF LCU LOSES: If the Lady Chaps fall to the Javelinas, their record will drop to 21-10, they will be eliminated from the tournament and will await an at-large bid for the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament (eight-team tournament). The NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Selection Show will air Sunday, Mar. 5 at 9 p.m. on NCAA.com.   
 
HOW IT ENDED
There were 27 lead changes and offense was on display in the regular season finale inside Rip Griffin Center Saturday, and West Texas A&M was able to do something they had never done in program history... post a win inside Lubbock Christian University's home venue. Behind 55.4% shooting from the field, the Lady Buffs defeated the Lady Chaparrals 88-79, in overtime, in a Lone Star Conference West Division meeting despite a double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds from LCU's Grace Foster. 
 
Along with Foster's 29 points, LCU received 16 points from Maddox, and 14 points each from Robertson and Stovall. LCU was outscored 10-3 in second-chance scoring, as they were out-rebounded 40-24 in the contest. The points-off-turnovers was even at 15-15 despite LCU having a 16-11 advantage in forced turnovers.
 
RECOGNIZE
The Lone Star Conference announced their women's basketball conference honors and a trio Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals received recognition, headlined by Grace Foster claiming Lone Star Conference Player of the Year honors. Foster, who also claimed First Team honors and All-Academic Team accolades, was joined by teammates Maci Maddox (Second Team) and Audrey Robertson (Third Team).
 
Foster claimed the fifth conference player of the year honor by a Lady Chap since the 2015-16 season (LCU's first season with NCAA postseason eligibility) and the second since becoming members of the Lone Star Conference. Nicole Hampton (2015-16) and Tess Bruffey (2016-17, 2017-18) claimed the honor in the Heartland Conference and Madi Chitsey (2019-20) received the recognition in the Lone Star Conference.

SEASON NOTES AND TRENDS
> Grace Foster is sprinkled throughout the statistical leaderboard in the LSC, as she leads the LSC in double-doubles (with 13 to rank 19^th nationally) and leads in rebounds (279, which is 16^th nationally), while ranking second in rebounds per game (9.3, which is 35^th nationally). Her 279 rebounds on the season, which ranks as the fifth-best single season mark in program history. The sophomore is three boards away from moving past Tess Bruffey's 2017-18 season total of 281 rebounds. On the offensive side, Foster leads the LSC in free-throw percentage (90.6%, ninth nationally) and is fourth in the LSC in scoring (15.4 points per game).
> LCU is second in the LSC in three-point shooting with a 34.4% shooting percentage from the perimeter this season. Opposing teams are shooting 25.2% from three-point range, which defensively places LCU atop the LSC in perimeter defense (seventh nationally). LCU's perimeter defense has held the opposition to a 22.1% three-point shooting percentage (55/249) over the last 16 games played. LCU has an 102-55 advantage in three-point field goals in the span.  
> Maci Maddox ranks second in the LSC with 132 assists (29^th nationally) and is fourth with 4.4 assists per game (47^th nationally). Defensively, Maddox ranks seventh in the LSC in steals (57) and ninth in steals per game (1.9).
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 36.8 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 (9.3) and Audrey Robertson (4.9) are each averaging 4.9-or-more rebounds per game. LCU sits third in the LSC in defensive rebounds per game (28.6, 28^th nationally) and eighth in overall rebounds per game (36.8).
> LCU has a 441-351 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 (none since Jan. 5). On the campaign, LCU is shooting 77.5% (441/569) from the line, which leads the LSC and ranks 17^th nationally. The Lady Chaps rank 28^th nationally and seventh in the LSC in free-throws made per game (14.7). Grace Foster is 116-of-128 (90.6%) from the line this season to lead LCU. Audrey Robertson (87-of-106, 82.1%, third in the LSC) joins Foster in the top-five in the LSC.
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 68.2 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 (15.8), Audrey Robertson (10.9) and Maci Maddox (10.4) 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 (37), ranking third in the LSC (47^th nationally), and Grace Foster ranks 13^th in the LSC with 24 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 - 13.5). 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 13.5 points allowed per third quarter ranks as their second-best defensive quarter of the four quarters this season (allow 13.0 points per quarter in first quarter).

WHEN IT'S NEUTRAL
The Lady Chaps are 1-3 on a neutral site court this season, but their lone win came against No.15 Montana State Billings (60-58 on Dec. 17 in Las Vegas, Nev.). All four games on a neutral site floor that season have come against teams either nationally ranked or receiving votes (three tanked in top-15). LCU has four players averaging double figures offensively in neutral site games. Grace Foster leads the way with an average of 15.3 points per game. Carli Bostwick (14.5), Audrey Robertson (14.0) and Maci Maddox (10.0) have aided Foster and the Lady Chaps offensively. Robertson (5.8) and Whitney Cox (5.5) have helped bolster a team rebound rate of 39.8 per game, with Foster leading LCU with 6.8 per game. LCU is shooting 84.1% as a team from the free-throw line, with Foster at a 12-of-12 (100%) mark in neutral site play.

CONFERENCE CALL
Lubbock Christian went 16-6 in Lone Star Conference play. A trio of Lady Chaps paced the scoring attack in conference play, as Grace Foster (16.0, which was fourth in the LSC), Maci Maddox (10.4) and Audrey Robertson (10.3) are averaging double figures in scoring in conference contests. Foster also averaged 9.2 rebounds per game in conference (second in LSC). LCU paced the scoring with 67.9 points per game (third in the LSC) in conference (shooting a LSC-best 43.6% from the field) and they posted an 11.3-point (led the LSC) scoring margin (defense led the LSC holding opponents to 56.6 points per game). Maddox averaged 4.5 assists per game (third in the LSC), which helped LCU rank second in the LSC with a pace of 14.1 per conference game. Their assist/turnover ratio of 0.98 led the LSC.
 
TOURNEY TALK
LCU is appearing in their fourth LSC conference tournament (LSC Championships). The Lady Chaps hold an 8-1 all-time record in LSC Championship tournament games (4-1 in Frisco). LCU won the tournament in 2020 and 2021 (both over Texas A&M-Commerce).
 
LCU's all-time leading scorer in LSC Championship play is Allie Schulte, who had 112 career points in nine career games (average of 12.4 points per game, which also leads LCU's career LSC Championship marks). Grace Foster leads the active roster historically in the LSC Championships with an average of 7.3 points in three games.
 
The Lady Chaps average 71.9 points historically in championships play, with a field goal shooting mark of 46%. They are 40.9% from the perimeter and 81.9% from the line historically. LCU averages an allowance of 57.1 points per game historically and their defense has a pace of holding opponents to 35% shooting from the field.
 
LCU's ALL-TIME LSC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
 
2019-2020
Caitlyn Cunyus (MVP)
Allie Schulte
Maddi Chitsey
 
2020-2021
Emma Middleton (MVP)
Channing Cunyus
Allie Schulte
 
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 third South Central Region rankings (first rankings are listed alphabetically) and Lubbock Christian went from No.5 to No.6 this week. Here are the rankings, as eight programs will receive a berth to the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals:
1          Texas Woman's University
2          Angelo State
3          Colorado School of Mines
4          Black Hills State
5          The University of Texas at Tyler
6          Lubbock Christian
7          West Texas A&M
8          Regis (Colorado)
9          Texas A&M-Kingsville
10        Adams State
 
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 TAMUK
1 > The Javelinas are the No.5 seed after an 18-10 season and a 15-7 finish in the LSC. They head to Frisco on a four-game win streak.
2 > TAMUK went 17-11 last season, finishing LSC play 10-6 to finish eighth in the conference standings. They came into the season carrying the No.6 ranking in the LSC Preseason Poll.
3 > The three-point defense for the Javelinas is holding the opposition to 26.2% from the arc, which ranks 11th nationally and is second in the LSC behind LCU. Overall, the Javelinas are fourth in the LSC in holding opponents to an average of 59.0 points a game.
4 > On the offensive side, Mia Rivers leads the LSC in assists (137) and assists per game (4.9, 22^nd nationally). TAMUK ranks third in the LSC as a team in assists per game (13.7) and leads the LSC in assist/turnover (0.97).   
5 > Michael Madrid is in his fourth season as head coach of the Javelinas. He served as an assistant coach at LCU under Steve Gomez from 2005-2010. The meeting Thursday marks the fourth time in a regular season game in which a former LCU assistant under Gomez has gone head-to-head coaching against Gomez (Gomez holds a 2-1 edge against Madrid). This marks their first postseason meeting.

THE SERIES AGAINST TAMUK
The two squads are meeting for the fourth time ever, with all meetings coming since joining the Lone Star Conference. LCU has a 2-1 series lead after a 76-61 win Dec. 10, 2022 in Kingsville, which was the first win in the all-time series by the road team. The two teams have never met on a neutral site or in a postseason game.
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. TAMUK
LCU's active career leaders against TAMUK:

Rachel Haase 1gp, 21 pts, 4/5 3-FG
Grace Foster 2gp, 12.5 pts p/g, 9/17 FG
Reese Schumann 1gp, 8 pts, 2 blocks

PRIOR MEETING VS. TAMUK
KINGSVILLE, Texas (December 10, 2022) - Rachel Haase came off the bench and, in less than 16 minutes of time on the floor, matched teammate Grace Foster with 21-point performances, and the 42 combined points helped Lubbock Christian University close out their first Lone Star Conference road trip with a 76-61 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday afternoon inside The SPEC.

Foster set the scoring trend early, supplying LCU with seven points in the opening quarter. Foster's first bucket caboosed a 7-0 LCU run for a 7-2 lead merely four minutes into the contest. Teams traded baskets until LCU held TAMUK off the scoreboard the final 3:46 of the quarter and went on a 10-0 run to close the quarter for a 22-9 lead. Reese Schumann, 3-of-3 from the field in the quarter, opened the run with a pair of buckets in the paint. Foster, who also added six rebounds in the quarter, closed the quarter's scoring and helped LCU shoot 64.3% from the field in the quarter.

TAMUK cut the deficit to nine on several occasions, and was able to cut it to eight on a Brianna Pena three-pointer with 5:46 left in the half, but a 9-4 scoring advantage for LCU pushed the LCU lead to 37-24 with 1:42 left in the quarter. Pena ended up with seven points in the quarter for TAMUK, who trailed LCU 37-26 at the half. Despite one three-pointer in the first half, LCU didn't skip a beat offensively in the half, as they were 14-of-22 (63.6%) inside the arc in the half (LCU had a 22-12 scoring advantage in the paint in the half). Foster led LCU at the break with 11 points and six boards.

The third quarter started to have the same pace, as TAMUK cut the deficit to nine twice, but this time LCU responded with a 13-3 run for a 52-33 lead as 3:36 was left in the third quarter. Haase had the final points of the run and it was a prelude to come. Following Foster's seven-point performance in the quarter, Haase hit a three-pointer with 2:47 left in the quarter for LCU's final points in the quarter (LCU led 55-40 after three quarters in the books).

Haase scored LCU's final five points of the third quarter and their first 11 points in the fourth quarter. Three of her team's opening four field goals were from three-point range. Foster ended the Haase surge with a three-pointer to cap a 9-0 run (all three-pointers) and it gave LCU their largest lead of the game (24 points) 69-45 with 4:54 left in regulation. Haase closed her scoring and her 14-point fourth quarter with an old-fashioned three-point-play with 2:59 left for a 74-52 lead. TAMUK closed the game on a 9-2 run.

Foster posted her fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 14 rebounds. She was 8-of-13 from the field and 3-of-5 from long range. Haase's career-high scoring performance included an incredible 8-of-10 shooting from the floor (4-of-5 from three-point range). LCU shot a season-best 53.6% (30/56) from the field and was 7-of-15 (46.7%) from downtown. They owned a 40-30 advantage in paint scoring. Maci Maddox toyed with a triple-double despite not having any double figures in any categories, as she had nine points, nine assists and seven rebounds. The nine assists were the most by a Lady Chap since Caitlyn Cunyus posted nine against Midwestern State on Dec. 21, 2019.

TAMUK received a game-high 22 points from Brianna Pena, who was 10-of-14 from the field. The Javelinas were held to three points from the free-throw line, which was a season low for an LCU opponent this season (last season on Jan. 20, 2022, St. Edward's was 2-of-2 from the line). The loss put the Javelinas at 5-3 on the season and 2-2 in LSC play.