CANYON, Texas (November 2, 2024) – Lubbock Christian University kicks off the 2024-25 regular season Saturday morning at the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, taking on Kutztown. The game is set to start at 11 a.m., marking the first of two matchups for the Lady Chaps this weekend at the First United Bank Center. They will also compete against Black Hills State Sunday at 11 a.m.
 

D2CCA TIPOFF CLASSIC
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	RADIO	STATS
Kutztown	Canyon, Texas	Sat., Nov. 2	11 a.m.	Listen	Stats

 
UNOFFICIALLY UNDERWAY
Despite a strong defensive effort, the Lady Chaparrals fell to Rice University 69-49 in an exhibition game at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston Tuesday. LCU stayed competitive through three quarters, but Rice's depth and a 22-10 fourth-quarter run ultimately sealed the win for the Owls. Maci Maddox led the Lady Chaps with 15 points and three steals, while Grace Foster added 10 points and six rebounds. LCU shot 50% in the third quarter but struggled outside of it, finishing just 16.7% from beyond the arc. Though LCU forced 14 turnovers, Rice capitalized with a 10-4 advantage in points off turnovers. LCU's bench provided energy, contributing five points in the third quarter as the team worked to stay within single digits heading into the final period.
  
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).  
 
DOUBLE DUECES
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.
 
SEASON OPENERS
LCU is probably more known for how they finish the season, than how they begin the season. The Lady Chaps are 9-8 over their last 17 season openers. LCU opened last season with an 87-78 loss to No.17 Union (Tenn) inside Rip Griffon Center (Nov, 3 2023). LCU is 29-16 all-time and 13-8 under head coach Steve Gomez in openers.
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT KU
1 > The Kutztown University women's basketball team ended the 2023-2024 season with a balanced 15-15 overall record and a 12-10 mark in PSAC conference play, finishing third in the PSAC East and securing a postseason berth as the third seed. Although they faced challenges at home with a 7-8 record, they were strong on the road, going 8-5. Kutztown showed resilience, with notable victories over Millersville and Mansfield but fell short in tight games, including a season-ending loss to West Chester in the PSAC tournament.

2 > Kutztown University's women's basketball team is ranked third in the Eastern Division of the 2024-25 PSAC Preseason Poll, as voted by the conference's head coaches. This placement reflects expectations for Kutztown to be competitive in the conference, building on last season's third-place finish in the division.

3 > Kutztown last appeared in a D2CCA Tournament in 2021 to open the 2021-22 season, as they attended the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead in Billings, Montana. They went 1-2 at the event.

4 > Kutztown began the 2024-25 season with a 69-56 loss to Adams State in the opening game of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic. The Golden Bears (0-1) started strong, leading 19-12 after the first quarter and holding a 30-23 halftime advantage. Naia Pulliam led the team with 16 points, along with six rebounds and two assists. Despite maintaining the lead into the third quarter, Kutztown faltered in the final period, where they were outscored 28-11. Jess Aponik scored the first basket of the game and finished with nine points, while Abbey Hearn contributed a team-high 12 rebounds. After a brief surge by the Grizzlies to tie the game, Kutztown struggled to regain control, ultimately succumbing to Adams State's 10-0 run in the fourth quarter. Other notable performances included Leila Hurley and Bella Quinn with six points each, with Quinn adding three assists. Despite the defeat, all nine Golden Bears who played contributed to the scoring.

5 > Janet Malouf begins her 30th season as head coach of the Kutztown University women's basketball team in 2024-25. A four-time PSAC East Coach of the Year, she holds a career record of 445-372, making her the program's all-time winningest coach. Malouf has led the Golden Bears to 13 postseason appearances in the last 15 years, including a program-record 26 wins in the 2021-22 season. She ranks 26th among active NCAA Division II coaches in career wins and has been instrumental in developing numerous All-PSAC East athletes throughout her tenure..
 
THE SERIES AGAINST KU
Lubbock Christian and Kutztown faced each other for the first time on November 23, 2018, at the Thanksgiving Classic hosted by St. Mary's in San Antonio, Texas. LCU emerged victorious in this inaugural matchup, winning 72-47.
 
PRIOR MEETING AGAINST KU
San Antonio, Texas (Nov. 23, 2018) - LCU 72 – KU 47
Lubbock Christian University dominated Kutztown University, winning 72-47 in their opening game of the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic held at Bill Greehey Arena. The Lady Chaps, ranked No. 3/10, initially struggled, falling behind 6-0, but quickly found their rhythm. Allie Schulte led the charge with 16 points, hitting 4-of-5 from three-point range, while Kailin Davis added 15 points, including nine in the second half.
 
In the first quarter, LCU bounced back with multiple scoring runs, featuring a 7-0 stretch and a 10-0 run that contributed to a decisive 24-5 surge, ending the period with a 20-11 lead. Schulte played a pivotal role, scoring eight points in the quarter and helping LCU shoot an impressive 71.4% from the field.
 
By halftime, LCU had expanded their lead to 30-19, thanks to a 60% shooting performance in the half, with Schulte scoring 13 points. The Lady Chaps managed to overcome 14 turnovers with solid defense, edging out Kutztown with a 7-4 scoring advantage during that period.
 
The second half showcased LCU's defensive prowess as they held Kutztown to just five field goals across the middle quarters. After Kutztown opened the third with a 4-0 run, LCU quickly responded with a 20-2 scoring streak, effectively sealing the game. Davis's contributions were crucial during this stretch, helping LCU take a 52-29 lead into the final quarter.
 
The fourth quarter saw both teams combine for their highest scoring output, but LCU maintained control, outscoring Kutztown 20-18. Freshmen Laynee Burr and Channing Cunyus provided valuable support, helping the Lady Chaps lead by as much as 62-32. LCU dominated the boards, finishing with a 35-19 rebounding advantage and a 17-8 edge in second-chance points. The game featured a total of 40 turnovers, with LCU capitalizing on Kutztown's 22 turnovers, leading to a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Schulte notched three steals, contributing to LCU's defensive efforts.

Emma Middleton added a career-high 10 points in 15 minutes, while Juliana Robertson led the team in plus/minus at +28. For Kutztown, Karen Lapkiewicz and Rylee Derr were the standout scorers with 16 and 13 points, respectively. This marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams, with LCU improving to 6-1 on the season.