SILVER CITY, N.M. - The Lubbock Christian University Men's Basketball team wrapped up their New Mexico road trip with a hard fought 71-61 victory over Western New Mexico Saturday afternoon. 

The Chaparrals (13-5, 8-2) had four players score in double figures, led by Tiras Morton, who had 18 points and two blocks. Aaron Gonzales tacked on 16 points and six rebounds and Kurt Wegscheider helped out with 12 points off of the bench. 

The LCU defense dominated in the win, holding WNMU to 15.4 percent (2-of-13) shooting from behind the arc. The Chaps totaled four blocks and six steals on the defensive end. 

Cortaviaus Seales led the Mustangs with 15 points and three rebounds and Allen Fordham chipped in with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. 

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 17-14 advantage, LCU went on an 8-0 run with 10:09 left in the first half to increase its lead to 25-14. The Mustangs cut into the lead, but LCU still entered halftime with a 34-29 advantage. The Chaps took advantage of four offensive rebounds to score seven second chance points in the opening period. 

LCU kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Najeeb Muhammad's jumper, to grow the lead to 43-35 with 13:07 to go in the contest. WNMU fought until the final buzzer, but the Chaps cruised to a 71-61 win. LCU took care of business in the paint in the second half recording 20 of its 37 points in the lane.

Game Notes

• LCU scored 34 of it's 71 points in the paint. 
• The Chap defense forced 11 turnovers, scoring eight points off Mustang miscues. 
• The Chaps shot 6-of-22 (27.3 percent) from behind the arc. Aaron Gonzales and Ethan Duncan led the Chaps in triples with two each. 
• Gonzales led LCU in rebounds for the second time this season. 
• Morton has scored in double-figures every game this season. 

Up Next
The Chaps return home Thursday (Jan. 25) to battle UT Tyler. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the Rip Griffin Center.

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