2023 LONE STAR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS - SEMIFINALS
No.1-Seed No.11 TEXAS WOMAN'S (25-4) vs. No.4-Seed LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (22-9)
Mar. 4, 2023 • 2:30 PM
Frisco, Texas • Comerica Center (6,000)
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
No.1-seed TWU	Frisco, Texas	Sat. Mar. 4	2:30 p.m.	Video	Stats
GAME NOTES (PDF)

  
SATURDAY SEMIS
The West Division Co-Champion Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals edged No.5-seed Texas A&M-Kingsville 74-72 in overtime Thursday night to advance to the Semifinals, where No.11 Texas Woman's awaits. The top-host Pioneers topped No.8-seed St. Edward's 62-50 to make their way in the field of four remaining teams in the tournament.
 
THE "IF's"
IF LCU WINS: If the Lady Chaps defeat TWU, they will improve to 23-9 on the season and will advance to the tournament championship game to face either No.2-seed Angelo State or No.3-seed UT Tyler Sunday at 1 p.m. in Frisco.

IF LCU LOSES: If the Lady Chaps fall to the Pioneers, their record will drop to 22-10, 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.   
 
OVERTIME AGAIN
No.4-seed Lubbock Christian University, behind 24 points from Grace Foster, advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Lone Star Conference Championships following a 74-72 overtime victory over No.5-seed Texas A&M-Kingsville Thursday night inside Comerica Center.
 
The 24-point performance by Foster was an LCU record for a LSC Championship contest (LCU's 10th LSC Championships game in program history). It is LCU's best individual offensive performance in a conference tournament game since Maddi Chitsey had 24 points against Newman in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship Game in 2019 (Mar. 10, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla.), and the two performances are LCU's best in a conference tournament game since advancing to the NCAA level (2015-16 season). Foster was 4-of-4 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line over the final 16 minutes of the game. She finished 8-of-16 from the field and 3-of-7 from three-point range.

Foster also made additional program news, as she finished with seven rebounds to move her season total to 286 rebounds. The total moved her past Tess Bruffey (281, 2017-18) and Carolyn Manning (282, 2007-08) in LCU's single-season rebounding records, and Foster is currently with the third-best single-season rebounds mark in program history.

LCU also received 16 points from Maddox, who notched at least 16 points for a third consecutive game. Maddox (7) and Foster (8) combined for 15 of LCU's 26 field goals, but of the remaining 11 LCU field goals, four were by four different individuals (each had one) that led to a lead change (Audrey Robertson, Audrey Spurgin, Martie McCoy and Shaylee Stovall).
 
The Lady Chaps improved to 9-1 all-time in LSC Championships. Overall, they improve to 22-9 on the campaign. The overtime result placed LCU 1-2 this season when a game heads into the fifth frame (ended a three-game stretch of overtime losses). LCU was coming off an overtime loss Saturday at home. Documentation starting in 2009 indicates games with overtime results and there are no indications of consecutive overtime games being played by LCU since documentation started.
 
LCU claimed their first win of the season when the opponent outshoots them. TAMUK was 47.5% (25/59) from the field, while LCU was 47.3% (26/55). LCU is now 1-6 this season in the scenario. In LSC Championships, LCU last win was last season with a Quarterfinals win over Angelo State, who outshot LCU 41.3% - .385.

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 (286, which is 16^th nationally), while ranking second in rebounds per game (9.2, which is 35^th nationally). Her 286 rebounds on the season, which ranks as the third-best single season mark in program history. The sophomore is three boards away from moving past Kellyn Schneider's 2014-15 season total of 288 rebounds. On the offensive side, Foster leads the LSC in free-throw percentage (91.0%, ninth nationally) and is fourth in the LSC in scoring (16.1 points per game).
> LCU leads the LSC in three-point shooting with a 34.3% shooting percentage from the perimeter this season. Opposing teams are shooting 25.6% 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 23.0% three-point shooting percentage (62/269) over the last 17 games played. LCU has an 106-62 advantage in three-point field goals in the span.
> Maci Maddox ranks third in the LSC with 135 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 (59) and eighth in steals per game (1.9).
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 36.7 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 (4.9) are each averaging 4.9-or-more rebounds per game. LCU sits third in the LSC in defensive rebounds per game (28.5, 24^th nationally) and ninth in overall rebounds per game (36.7).
> LCU has a 459-360 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 77.4% (426/593) from the line, which leads the LSC and ranks 14^th nationally. The Lady Chaps rank 28th nationally and seventh in the LSC in free-throws made per game (14.8). Grace Foster is 121-of-133 (91.0%) from the line this season to lead LCU. Audrey Robertson (91-of-112, 81.3%, fifth in the LSC) joins Foster in the top-five in the LSC.
>The Lady Chaps are averaging 68.4 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 (16.1), Audrey Robertson (10.8) and Maci Maddox (10.6) lead the average scoring pace for the Lady Chaps.
>Defensively, Lubbock Christian is fifth in the LSC in blocks per game (3.1). Reese Schumann leads LCU in blocks (37), ranking fourth in the LSC (47th nationally), and Grace Foster ranks 13th 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 548-421 scoring advantage in the third quarter this season (average scoring advantage of 17.7 - 13.6). The 17.7 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 13.1 points per quarter in first quarter).

WHEN IT'S NEUTRAL
The Lady Chaps are 2-3 on a neutral site court this season, which includes a win against No.15 Montana State Billings (60-58 on Dec. 17 in Las Vegas, Nev.). Four of the five games this season have come against teams either nationally ranked or receiving votes (three ranked in top-15). LCU has four players averaging double figures offensively in neutral site games. Grace Foster leads the way with an average of 17.0 points per game. Audrey Robertson (12.8) and Maci Maddox (11.2) have aided Foster and the Lady Chaps offensively. Robertson (5.8) and Whitney Cox (5.5) have helped bolster a team rebound rate of 38.2 per game, with Foster leading LCU with 6.8 per game. LCU is shooting 82.1% as a team from the free-throw line, with Foster at a 17-of-17 (100%) mark in neutral site play.

CONFERENCE CALL
Lubbock Christian went 15-6 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 a 9-1 all-time record in LSC Championship tournament games (5-1 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 11.5 points in four games.

The Lady Chaps average 72.1 points historically in championships play, with a field goal shooting mark of 46.1%. They are 40.3% from the perimeter and 80.9% from the line historically. LCU averages an allowance of 58.6 points per game historically and their defense has a pace of holding opponents to 36.3% 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 TWU
1 > The Pioneers enter Saturday 25-4 on the season. They went 19-3 in LSC action to take the No.1-seed. The claimed the East Division title and the LSC regular season title.
2 > TWU, preseason slated at No.3 in the LSC Preseason Poll, had Ashley Ingram and Sadie Moyer claim All-LSC First Team honors and Keslyn King claimed Honorable Mention accolades.
3 > Texas Woman's is unbeaten in four neutral site contests this season.
4 > The Pioneers are the most discipline team in the LSC this season, as they average 14.6 fouls per game. They have a 627-418 advantage in free-throw attempts on the season.
5 > Ashley Ingram has 133 free-throws made on the season, which is 15th nationally and leads the LSC. She averages 6.1 points per game from the line.

THE SERIES AGAINST TWU
LCU dropped the regular season clash in Denton 76-69 this season (Jan. 21), which ended a sequence of four consecutive LCU wins in the series ( LCU has a 6-2 series advantage). Seven of the meetings have come since the 2010-2011 season. The teams are meeting for the first time in a LSC postseason contest. In 2015-16, LCU and TWU opened the NCAA Division II South Central Regional (in Lubbock), with LCU winning 95-75 (was LCU's first-ever NCAA postseason game).

ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. TWU
LCU's active career leaders against TWU:

Maci Maddox 1gp, 11 pts, 3/3 3-FG, 7 reb., 5 assists
Shaylee Stovall 2gp, 10.5 pts p/g, 5/5 3-FG
Grace Foster 2gp, 10.0 pts p/g, 2.0 assists p/g

PRIOR MEETING VS. TWU
DENTON, Texas (January 21, 2023) - Lubbock Christian University rallied back from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter and eventually had a lead in the quarter, but No.7 Texas Woman's took advantage of the breaks down the stretch and edged the Lady Chaparrals 75-69 Saturday in Lone Star Conference play inside KittyMagee Arena.

After an 8-2 LCU run, which included three-pointers from Martie McCoy and Maci Maddox to trail TWU 25-24 with 2:59 remaining, LCU went the ensuing 5:11 scoreless. Over the span, which carried into the second half, TWU went on a 15-0 run. A 6-0 portion of the TWU run transpired in the second half and all the points were off a trio off field goals by Scout Huffman to put the Pioneers up 40-24 1:48 into the third quarter. Maddox drilled a three-pointer to end the dry spell 2:12 into the frame, and it was followed by an and-one three-point play by Grace Foster to get a 6-0 LCU run going. The Pioneers went a span of 3:08 without a field goal and LCU's 6-0 tun turned into a 11-2 run. Shaylee Stovall had the last five points of the run to cut the TWU lead to 42-35 with 5:17 left in the quarter. Audrey Robertson and Stovall each hit a three pointer to ignite a 15-2 scoring run, which included a 12-0 segment (capped by a three-pointer from Maddox) to put LCU up 50-46 with 1:02 remaining in the quarter (LCU made six consecutive field goals during their comeback).

The Lady Chaps couldn't keep the offense rolling, as they went scoreless over the next two minutes, which the Pioneers took advantage of with a 7-0 run during the sequence. They led 51-50 heading into the fourth quarter and built the advantage to 53-50 before Stovall had a layup to trim the lead to 53-50. The Pioneers twice built the lead to six, and with 4:34 remaining, LCU again received three-pointers from Stovall and Robertson to tie the game 64-64 with 3:35 remaining.

A crucial offensive foul on LCU allowed TWU to go on a 5-0 run and the Pioneers led 69-64 with 2:28 remaining. Stovall hit another three-pointer to trim the deficit to two points (71-69), but TWU made their free-throws the rest of the way to claim the win.

LCU had to play from behind throughout most of the game. TWU opened the scoring with a 6-0 lead, as LCU missed their first six field goal attempts. The Pioneers thrived from the free-throw line and hit all eight of their first quarter attempts to lead 13-10 heading into the second quarter. LCU went a span of 4:43 without a field goal, but twice was able to rally in the second quarter to cut the game to a one-point deficit. That included the 8-2 run to trail 25-24.

TWU benefited off a 19-11 scoring advantage from the free-throw line. The Pioneers were a perfect 19-of-19 from the line, which is the best performance at the line by a LCU opponent since St. Edward's hit all 21 attempts on February 25, 2017 against the Lady Chaps. Toss in UT Tyler's 20 made free-throws from Thursday and LCU's opponents have combined for 39 free-throws made in consecutive games (the 2017 date also marked the last time that occurred, as Oklahoma Christian and SEU combined for 41 made free-throws in a two-game span).

The Pioneers 19 points from the line was a helpful statistic to a 51.9% shooting percentage from the field (27/52), which is the highest shooting mark from the field by an LCU opponent this season. They were 58.1% (25/43) inside the arc and outscored LCU 30-26 in the paint. Ashley Ingram led TWU with 20 points off 8-of-10 shooting. She was joined in double figures by Huffman (12 points), Sadie Moyer (10 points) and Ngozi Obineke (10 points).

LCU matched a season high with 15 second-chance points and out-rebounded the Pioneers 29-28 despite a season-low in boards. Maddox led LCU in rebounds (7) and also had a career-high five steals (most by a Lady Chaps member this season).

Stovall had career-high 18 points and all 18 points were in the second half off 6-of-6 shooting, which included a 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range. Robertson (14 points), Foster (11 points) and Maddox (11 points) also finished in double figures. LCU was 50% from long distance, hitting 10 three-pointers on 20 attempts.