LUBBOCK, Texas – The Lubbock Christian University men's basketball team looks to rebound after suffering their first conference loss as they host UT Permian Basin on Thursday night. 

RV Lubbock Christian (10-4, 5-1) vs UT Permian Basin (10-3, 5-2)
Thursday January 11, 2024 – 7:30 p.m.
Lubbock, Texas – Rip Griffin Center

Game Promotions
Thursday night's theme is "Hawaiian Night" as LCU students are encouraged to wear their best Hawaiian-themed outfits. Free popcorn will be provided for the first 100 LCU students in attendance. Along with the halftime promotionals and games, one lucky student will have the opportunity to win two free tickets to a Lauren Daigle concert during halftime of the men's game.
 
The Series
Thursday will be the 18^th meeting all-time between the Chaps and Falcons. LCU has controlled the series holding a 12-5 record over UTPB. The Chaps have won five straight against the Falcons. UTPB has struggled inside the Rip Griffin Center, coming into Thursday with a 1-8 record on the road against LCU.

About UT Permian Basin

• The Falcons are in their 2^nd season with Kyle Tolin at the helm.
• UTPB comes in Thursday's game with a 10-3 record and are 5-2 in Lone Star play.
• The Falcons are 2-1 in the LSC West Division.
• Alex Matthews is leading the way for the Falcons, averaging 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.
• Lathaniel Bastian is the reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week. He averages 13.7 points a night and grabs a league best 11.3 boards a game.
• UTPB scores 82.6 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from behind the arc.  

Last Time Out – LCU
LCU suffered their first conference loss of the season, falling 83-69 to Midwestern State Saturday afternoon (Jan. 6). 

The Chaps struggled shooting the ball in the loss going 26-of-60 (43.3 percent) from the field and 8-of-27 (29.6) from behind the arc. This is the worst three-point shooting game the Chaps have had this season. 

Tiras Morton lead LCU with 23 points and 11 rebounds, securing his 6th double-double of the season. In addition to Morton's solid performance, Ethan Duncan had 17 points and Aaron Gonzales chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds.
Midwestern State had three players score in double figures led by Bakari LaStrap who dropped 19 on 3-of-6 shooting from downtown. Mason Gibson added 17 points and five rebounds and Will Shepherd had 16 points and 6 rebounds of his own. 

Last Time Out – UT Permian Basin
UT Permian Basin knocked off Western New Mexico 90-70, Saturday afternoon at the Falcon Dome. The win improved the Falcons to 10-3 on the season, tied for the second-best start in program history.
 
The Falcons generated a good number of points from their defense.  UTPB forced 20 turnovers and got 28 points for their effort.

For UT Permian Basin, Alex Matthews had 32 points, 10 rebounds and shot 11-of-13 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the line. Zy Wright had 21 points and shot 8-of-16 from the floor and Keyon Craddock scored 12 points with eight assists.
 
A Win Would

• Give the Chaps a 11-4 overall record and 6-1 in the Lone Star Conference.
• Give LCU a 2-1 LSC West Division record.
• Be the 232^nd win of the Coach Duncan era.
• Extend the Chap's win streak to six games over the Falcons.

Stay Social
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Chaps by following the team on Twitter at LCU_ChapsMBball ,  on Instagram at LCU_Chap_Basketball and on Facebook at LCU Men's Basketball .