HOUSTON, Texas (October 28, 2024) – Lubbock Christian University heads to Tudor Fieldhouse (Autry Court) Tuesday for an exhibition matchup against Rice, serving as a dress rehearsal for each team's regular-season opener. The 7 p.m. tip-off marks each team's lone exhibition game (non-summer related) prior to the 2024-25 regular season, with LCU's season opener set for Saturday in Canyon, Texas.
 

EXHIBITION BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	RADIO	STATS
Rice	Houston, Texas	Tue., Oct. 29	7:00 p.m.	Listen	Stats

 
UNOFFICIALLY UNDERWAY
Lubbock Christian University officially gets the 2024-25 regular season underway Nov. 2 in Canyon, Texas, but their exhibition game Tuesday can not be overlooked. The Lady Chaps play a NCAA Division I program for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Combining the exhibition schedule with the regular season, LCU will play their first five contests on the road before their home fans are able to see them at home Nov. 16.
 
POWER EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Diving further into LCU's exhibition game at Rice, their game Tuesday marks LCU's first game against a Division I opponent since facing Mississippi State Nov.4, 2019. LCU is 4-5 all-time in games against NCAA Division I programs, with their last win claimed Oct. 28, 2018 over SMU (62-51 at Moody Coliseum). The Lady Chaps played three exhibition matches over the summer in Brazil, as part of their NCAA Foreign Tour and their match with Rice completes their preseason play. Historically, LCU does not shy away from Division I competition. Twice, LCU has faced defending NCAA national championships squads. Along with facing Baylor in 2018-19, they faced 2014-15 national champion UConn during the 2015-16 exhibition season in Hartford, Conn. Both LCU and UConn went on to claim a national championship in their division in 2015-16.
 
GLANCING BACK AT LAST SEASON
The Lady Chaparrals are coming off their eighth NCAA postseason-qualifying season, finishing atop the Lone Star Conference's West Division with a 12-2 division record and earning a berth in the NCAA South Central Regional with a 22-10 overall record (17-6 in conference) in 2023-24. Their season was a blend of highs and lows, including the excitement of an eight-game win streak and the challenge of an 0-5 record against teams nationally ranked teams or receiving votes at the time of competition. The season closed with emotional extremes, as they swept rival West Texas A&M to end the regular season but fell in the opening rounds of both the Lone Star Conference Championships and the South Central Regional (against Colorado Mesa in Denton, Texas).
 
WHO RETURNS
All but one player off last season's roster returns for the Lady Chaps. Included in the mix is eight of nine players who received at least one start and four of five of the starters from last season's final game. Representing LCU on the Lone Star Conference's "Player to Watch" list is a two-time WBCA All-America selection and is a CSC Academic All-America honoree Grace Foster. This past season's success led her becoming a two-time All-Region selection while also claiming All-Lone Star Conference First Team and LSC Academic Player of the Year honors. The senior from Childress, Texas has excelled in the classroom (holds a 4.0 GPA in Criminal Justice) and on the hardwood, where she led LCU in scoring (16.4) and rebounding (6.7). Her 16.4 points per game ranked third in the LSC and ninth in the region. Foster led the LSC in free-throw percentage (88.9%, ninth nationally and third in the region), and also ranked in the top-10 in the LSC in field goal percentage (46.8%, sixth), eighth in defensive rebounds per game (6.1), seventh in minutes per game (33.8) and sixth in three-pointers per game (1.7). Foster has 1,310 career points and 618 career rebounds.
 
All-Conference selections Maci Maddox (11.5 points, 4.26 assists), Audrey Robertson (13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds) are returning for a fifth season. Robertson has 977 career points in 121 career games (68 starts) and Maddox has 836 career points and 307 career assists in 112 career games (66 career starts).   
 
Reese Schumann and Audrey Spurgin join Foster in returning for a senior season. Schumann has appeared in 78 games over her career and has 350 rebounds and 344 points over her career. She produced some big West Division performances last season, producing 24 points against Eastern New Mexico and 18 rebounds against Cameron in top single-game outings. Spurgin has appeared in 72 games over her LCU career, making 29 appearances in each of the previous two seasons.
 
Martie McCoy and LSC All-Freshman Team selection Kennedy Chappell are returnees who have familiarity in the starting lineup. McCoy started in all 13 games played, but  suffered a season-ending injury. Chappell is LCU's second-ever LSC All-Freshman Team selection, joining Foster (2021-22 season). One of five Lady Chaps to appear in all 31 games last season. She has made 12 starts and averaged 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while also ranking tied for second on the squad in steals during conference play with 24.
 
Additional returners include Taylor Allen (13 games played last season), Deja Johnson (29 career games), Tia Johnson (13 games played last season), Kimber Mathews (five games played last season) and Taylor Thomas (29 games played last season with one start).
 
 
WHO THEY LOST
Shaylee Stovall is the lone player off last year's squad not returning. The guard was one of two Lady Chaps members (joining Maci Maddox) to start in all 31 games last season. She averaged 5.3 points a game and was a 90% (45/50) free-throw shooter.
 
NEW FACES
When it comes to new faces, it is just a new face: Maddie Moyers. Although a new face, the freshman from Longmont, Colo. (Roosevelt High School) received some valuable playing time in August's international trip to Brazil, including a 14-point performance in her preseason debut against AGFEB Basket São José (Santa Catarina).  
 
NATIONALLY KNOWN
The preseason rankings for the 2024-25 rankings by both the WBCA and the D2CSC (the two traditional annual national polls) have not been released yet, but the Lady Chaps are the No.2 program in the LSC preseason poll. They are second behind Texas Woman's and receiving three first-place votes.  They open their regular season November 2 season opener in Canyon, Texas (D2CCA Women's Basketball Tip-Off Classic) against Kutztown. The season will mark Steve Gomez"s 22^nd season leading the Lady Chaparrals. The Lady Chaps have posted 522 wins and 152 losses under his guidance, which includes the accomplishment of three NCAA Division II national championships and a NCAA Division II record 113-game win streak in home contests.
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT RICE
1 > The Owls are coming off a 19-15 campaign in 2023-24, claiming their first American Athletic Conference tournament title in program history (went 9-9 in the AAC), which automatically qualified them to the NCAA postseason for the fourth time in program history. They would fall LSU in the opening round in Baton Rouge, La. They went 9-6 at home inside Tudor Fieldhouse last season.
2 > Rice is preseason picked tied for second in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Owls have a pair of first-place votes and are tied with North Texas and behind South Florida.
3 > Facing LCU, Rice will have competed against a Lone Star Conference opponent in exhibition play three times over a four-year stretch. Rice defeated St. Edward's 84-41 in 2021-22 and topped Angelo State 101-47 last season.
4 > Returning All-Conference selection Malia Fisher is a Preseason All-Conference First Team selection heading into the season. Fisher led the Owls in several categories last season, averaging 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks ( leading the team in all categories). She was an All-Conference Third Team selection last season and was the AAC All-Tournament MVP, averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
5 > The Owls are returning 12 players from last season's squad. The 2024-25 season marks Lindsay Edmonds' fourth year at Rice, where she's already set impressive records. In her first three seasons, Edmonds notched the most wins (56) by any Rice head coach in that timeframe, became the first to start with three consecutive winning seasons, and was the fastest to capture a conference title in program history.
 
LCU'S HISTORY VS. NCAA DIV. I PROGRAMS:
Dec. 11, 2007 - LCU 75 - Houston Baptist 72
Carolyn Manning recorded 20 points and LCU also received 17 points from Sierra Lovorn and 15 points from Jordan Hampton (11-for-13 from the free-throw line) to lead the Lady Chaps to a regular season win at Rip Griffin Center. It was HBU's first season playing a NCAA Div. I schedule.
 
Nov. 9, 2009 - LCU 71 - Texas Tech 65
No. 19 Lubbock Christian University used 22 points from Brittany Hampton and a 40-29 rebound advantage to upset Texas Tech University at United Spirit Arena. Hampton scored 14 of her 22 points in the second half, and went 15-for-15 from the free-throw line, which would have been a school single-game record for free throws made without a miss if it had been a regular season game. LCU was 26-for-30 (86.7%) from the line in the game. They also received 15 points from Severyn Smith.
 
Nov. 2, 2013 - LCU 80 - Houston 73
Nicole Hampton produced a double-double (20 points and 15 rebounds) and Kelsey Hoppel produced 21 points leading to an 80-73 exhibition victory over the University of Houston at Hofheinz Pavilion. Emily Pool added 14 points for LCU, who hit 41 percent from the field, nailed 11 three-pointers and outrebounded Houston 53-49. The Coogs were held to 29 percent shooting.
 
Nov. 3, 2015 - UConn 95 - LCU 39
A blocked shot by Kellyn Schneider, followed by a Tess Bruffey bucket in the opening sequence of the game, led to a 2-0 LCU lead and a buzz from over 200 LCU fans in attendance, but it was short lived as Breanna Stewart went 10-of-12 from the field and her 25 points helped UConn to victory. The 56-point margin was UConn's smallest margin of victory in exhibition play since 2011 and the Huskies were also held under 100 points for only the second time in exhibition play since 2012. Both teams went on to go 35-0 in the regular season and each won national championships in Indianapolis.
 
Oct. 28, 2018 - LCU 62 - SMU 51
LCU forced SMU into 21 turnovers and a 35.7% shooting mark from the field in a victory over the Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. LCU the game for over 35 minutes in the contest, LCU was 42.9% (24/56) from the field, with 10 of their 24 made field goals launched behind the arc. Maddi Chitsey (15) and Robertson (13) combined for 28 points and were two of four Lady Chaps to finish in double figures. Allie Schulte and Ashton Duncan each had 11 points. Schulte also had five steals and five rebounds. LCU forced SMU into 21 turnovers, leading to a 29-14 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Oct. 30, 2018 - New Mexico 62 - LCU 55
New Mexico only outscored Lubbock Christian University in one of four quarters, but a 22-8 outburst in the second quarter was enough to defeat the Lady Chaparrals inside Dreamstyle Arena (The Pit). LCU outscored UNM 12-10 in the first quarter and 19-14 in the final quarter. The Lady Chaps offense faltered in the second quarter, going 3-of-17 (17.6%) from the field and 1-of-10 (10%) from long distance. LCU finished the game 4-of-23 from three-point range. UNM outrebounded LCU 43-41. Maddi Chitsey led LCU with 13 points and her sister Bobbi provided 10 points. Kailin Davis had seven points, six rebounds and a +10 plus/minus rating. They had trouble with UNM's Jaisa Nunn, who was 6-of-6 from the field with 17 points.
 
Oct. 28, 2019 - Texas 83 - LCU 73
Take away the opening two minutes, or a 10-0 run the Texas opened the game with during the span, and it was an even-steven contest, as LCU fell 83-73 inside Frank Erwin Center. LCU was able to gradually come back and bounced back from a 12-point halftime deficit, as Madelyn Turner was 4-of-4 from long range in the second half and produced 16 points in the half to help LCU pull to within four points of the Longhorns (65-61) in the fourth quarter. Texas responded with seven straight points from the free-throw line to claim the win despite LCU having a 42.4% - 40% shooting advantage from the field in the game. Maddi Chitsey led LCU with 22 points and Turner finished with 18 points. Joanne Allen-Taylor fueled Texas with 24 points.
 
Oct. 30, 2019 - Baylor 98 - LCU 63
A pair of defending NCAA championship squads hit the hardwood of the Ferrell Center Wednesday night, as Division I national champion Baylor defeated defending Division II national champion Lubbock Christian University 98-63 behind Lauren Cox, who had 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Baylor. LCU trailed 26-18 after the opening quarter and had trouble slowing down Baylor's 59.5% shooting from the field in the first half, which led to a 52-29 halftime lead. LCU had a much more competitive second half. Allie Schulte exploded for 10 points in the third quarter and LCU was 7-of-17 (42.9%) from the field (3-of-6 from three-point range) in the quarter. Baylor outscored LCU 20-19 in the quarter and took a 72-48 lead in the fourth quarter. The Lady Chaps played all 14 players and many of the depth players made their exhibition season debuts in the fourth quarter. Baylor outscored LCU 46-34 in the second half, as the Lady Chaps fell 98-63. Along with Lauren Cox's solid performance, the Lady Bears received a double-double from former Texas Tech Lady Raider Erin DeGrate (17 points and 10 rebounds). They also received 21 points from Te'a Cooper. Baylor was 55.6% from the field off 40-of-72 shooting. LCU, 35.6% (21/59) from the field, was led by Chitsey, who posted 16 points. She was one of four Lady Chaps to hit double figures. Turner and Schulte each posted 14 points and Emma Middleton had 12 points in 13 minutes (along with five rebounds) off 4-of-5 shooting.
 
Nov. 4, 2019 – Mississippi State 78 – LCU 57
Division II top-ranked Lubbock Christian University (LCU) challenged Division I No. 8 Mississippi State, holding a lead for over 11 minutes in the first half and trailing only 43-41 at halftime. Despite their strong start, LCU struggled with second-half shooting and eventually fell 78-57. LCU's Maddi Chitsey scored 16 first-quarter points, including a 35-foot buzzer-beater, helping the Lady Chaps lead 25-22 after the opening period. However, LCU's offense faltered late in the second quarter, going 2-for-12 as Mississippi State edged ahead. In the second half, LCU endured a 10-minute scoreless stretch, shooting just 23.1% and committing 15 turnovers. Mississippi State's height advantage was evident, as they out-rebounded LCU 23-11 on the offensive boards and blocked 10 shots. Center Jessika Carter led the Bulldogs with a double-double, scoring 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Despite the loss, LCU held Mississippi State to 38.1% shooting while hitting 37.5% themselves, with Allie Schulte adding 17 points.