SILVER CITY, N.M. (January 20, 2024) – The Lubbock Christian University used a 53.3% shooting performance from the field and a strong defensive performance to garner their seventh consecutive victory, as the Lady Chaparrals defeated Western New Mexico 63-40 Saturday afternoon inside Drag's Court. The win marked LCU's sixth consecutive road win and improved their West Division record to 6-0.
The Lady Chaps (14-3, 9-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Grace Foster, who had 22 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Maci Maddox tacked on 13 points and eight assists (no turnovers) and Audrey Robertson added eight points and four assists.
The Lubbock Christian offense was impressive from deep, knocking down nine threes on 16 attempts (56.3%). Foster hit four treys for the Lady Chaps in the contest.
Lubbock Christian produced a season-high seven blocks, with Reese Schumann posting four. LCU's defense also had nine steals, with Shaylee Stovall leading LCU with three.
WNMU (7-10, 2-8) remains winless (0-6) in the West Division and they fall for a sixth consecutive game. None of the Mustangs starters finished with more than eight points and they were led off the bench by Milan Tuttle and Diamond Moore, who each had nine points.
How It Happened
After playing to a 3-3 tie early in the game, Lubbock Christian went on a 10-0 run with 8:05 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Foster, to take a 13-3 lead. The Lady Chaps then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 19-8 advantage off six points each from Audrey Robertson and Kennedy Chappell. Lubbock Christian relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five three-pointers to account for 15 of its 19 points (Robertson and Chappell each were 2-of-2 from outside in the period).
The Lady Chaps led 28-20 with 4:01 left in the first half before WNMU closed the half on a 7-2 run to send the Lady Chaps to the locker room with a 30-27 halftime edge. Lubbock Christian was led in the quarter by Foster, who had five points and led LCU at the half with 10 points.
Following intermission, Lubbock Christian opened the half on a 6-0 run and continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 38-31 before going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a three from Foster, to expand its lead further to 48-31 with 2:04 to go in the third quarter. Before the third period was over, the Lady Chaps added three points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 55-35 edge. LCU was 10-of-14 (71.4%) from the field in the quarter and held WNMU to 2-of-14 (14.3%) from the field, as LCU out-scored WNMU 25-8 in the quarter. Foster led LCU with 10 points in the quarter, while teammate Maddox was 3-of-3 from the field.
Lubbock Christian kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 63-40 with 1:25 to go in the contest. LCU kept WNMU off the scoreboard for the final 7:12 of the game. LCU had a 33-13 scoring advantage in the second half and held the Mustangs to a 16.0% (4/25) shooting mark in the half.
Game Notes
» The Lady Chaps made over half of their attempts from three-point range, knocking down 9-of-16 shots (56.3%). The nine three-pointers matched a season-high for a third time this season.
» The Lady Chaps held the Mustangs to only 25.4 percent shooting from the field (15/59). It is the second time this season in which LCU held an opponent to under 30% shooting in a game this season. On the offensive side, LCU topped 50% shooting for a fourth time this season, as they were 53.3% from the field (24/45).
» The Lady Chaps never trailed in the game, marking the fourth time this season they never trailed in a game.
» The Lady Chaps put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 75 percent of made baskets. LCU had 18 assists on 24 field goals, with Maci Maddox leading LCU with eight assists. She did not have a turnover and has combined for 32 assists and two turnovers over the last four games played.
» The Lady Chaps were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying a season-high seven blocks as a team. Schumann, who had a career-high six blocks against WNMU on Jan. 14, 2023, led LCU with four blocks. Foster (2) and Robertson (1) also contributed to LCU's seven blocks Saturday.
» Grace Foster led the Lady Chaps with a game-high 22 points. It marked her 23rd career game with at least 20 points scored. She was 7-of-16 from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range.
» LCU improved to 10-1 in games in which they led at the half and 12-0 in games in which they led to start the fourth quarter.
» The win improved LCU to 7-1 on the road this season and they have won six consecutive road games (all LSC games).
» The Lady Chaps improved to 17-10 all-time against WNMU, as they have won 14 consecutive meetings against the Mustangs. They are 7-3 all-time against WNMU in Silver City, N.M.
What's Next
The two hottest teams in the LSC meet Thursday inside Rip Griffin Center, as East Division leading UT Tyler, winners of 15 consecutive games, face a Lady Chaps squad that leads the West Division and has won seven consecutive games. Tip-off is schedules for 5:30 p.m.
Portions of this article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
