LUBBOCK, Texas (November 23, 2024) – Neither team led by more than five points throughout the full 40 minutes on Saturday afternoon in the Rip Griffin Center, as St. Mary's edged past Lubbock Christian 74-69.
 
The Chaparrals (3-3, 1-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Ethan Duncan, who had 19 points. Kendall Dow and Alex Anamekwe both had season-highs with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The Lubbock Christian offense was very productive from deep, knocking down 11 threes on 24 attempts (45.8 percent) and shot well over all at 41.7 percent, but St. Mary's out-shot them at a 51.9 percent clip to push past the Chaps. The Rattlers were particulary effective inside, scoring 38 points in the paint to just 16 for LCU.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was back and forth from the start, with St. Mary's scoring the first four points and Lubbock Christian answering with seven straight points of their own. The 7-0 run would be the longest by either team in the entire game.
 
Three-pointers from Duncan and Ty Caswell kept the Chaps on top by two seven minutes in, but the Rattlers answered with a 6-1 burst to push back in front by three. They were able to maintain that three-point lead for five minutes as the teams traded baskets, but Dow came off the bench and provided a spark for the Chaps.
 
The guard hit bak-to-back three pointers with just over three minutes left in the half, but StMU answered with a three of their own. Free throws from Amondo Miller Jr. put the Chaps in front again and they led by one at the break.
 
Lubbock Christian started out the second half strong, thanks in large part to Anamekwe, who hit back-to-back three-pointers to put them up by four before the first media timeout. But Rattler Damani Claxton answered both shots with three-pointers of his own to keep the Chaps from pulling away.
 
Neither team scored for two full minutes in the middle of the half, and the Chap scoring woes would not let up the rest of the way. They shot just 34.6 percent in the final 20 minutes of play.
 
Still they battled by getting to the free throw line and took the lead one final time at 56-55 with 6:30 left in the game. St. Mary's responded with a 5-0 run (their longest of the game) and never trailed again. A Duncan three-pointer tied the game at 61-all, but the Rattlers hit their free throws in clutch time to seal the win.
 
GAME NOTES
» The Chaparrals shared the ball well, recording an assist on 60 percent of made field goals.
» The Lubbock Christian bench made an impact by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
» St. Mary's had 10 offensive rebounds in the game. It is the third time this season the Chaps have allowed double-digit rebounds on the offensive glass.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.