TYLER, Texas (November 8, 2024) – No.17 Lubbock Christian University heads to the Herrington Patriot Center this weekend for neutral-site action in the South Central Region Challenge. The Lady Chaps will take on Colorado State Pueblo in the ThunderWolves' season opener Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a matchup with Colorado Christian Saturday at 2 p.m.
 

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION CHALLENGE
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	VIDEO	RADIO	STATS
CSU Pueblo	Tyler, Texas	Fri., Nov. 8	3 p.m.	Watch	None	Stats

 
OFF TO A GOOD START
The Lady Chaps emerged from the D2CCA Tipoff Classic in Canyon, Texas, with a perfect 2-0 record last weekend, standing as the only team to remain unbeaten at the event. They began the season with a 64-41 victory, followed by a 73-66 win over Black Hills State. LCU delivered strong starts in both games and have yet to trail in any game this season.
  
ALL-TOURNAMENT
Grace Foster and Maci Maddox of Lubbock Christian University were named to the All-Tournament Team at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic, following a pair of standout performances that propelled the Lady Chaparrals to a 2-0 start to the season.
 
Foster, a senior from Childress, Texas, led LCU with consistent offensive production across both games, averaging 22 points per game. In LCU's season opener, she poured in 18 of her game-high 21 points in the first half, guiding the Lady Chaps to a commanding 64-41 victory over Kutztown. Foster's precision at the free-throw line, where she went 12-of-13, helped LCU build and maintain an early 14-0 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. She also added six rebounds and two steals, contributing to a defense that held Kutztown to 32.7% shooting.
 
The momentum continued for Foster Sunday, as she delivered a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds in LCU's 73-66 win over Black Hills State. With BHSU pushing to close the gap in the second half, Foster's steady scoring, including nine points in the final quarter, kept LCU in control.
 
Maddox, a fifth-year senior point guard from Lubbock, Texas, complemented Foster's efforts with her own balanced contributions. Over the weekend, she averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while logging heavy minutes (33 and 40, respectively). In the opening win against Kutztown, Maddox led the defense with three steals and added nine points and three assists. Against Black Hills State, she delivered 12 points and four rebounds, hitting both of her three-point attempts and draining a buzzer-beater to end the first half.
 
THAT IS NOT ALL…
Grace Foster not only received All-Tournament honors in Canyon, but the Lone Star Conference awarded her Defensive Player of the Week honors, as the LSC announced their first weekly honors for the 2024-25 women's basketball season.
 
Foster received her first LSC weekly honor of the season and the eighth of her career (her second for defense). Last season, she earned three Offensive Player of the Week awards, and the last Lady Chap to be named Defensive Player of the Week was Reese Schumann on February 5, 2023.
 
CHAP-TIVATING STATS: 5 FACTS ABOUT THE LADY CHAPS
1 > Grace Foster's Scoring Prowess: Grace Foster opened the season with back-to-back dominant performances, scoring 21 points against Kutztown and 23 points against Black Hills State. She averaged 22 points over the weekend, leading LCU in scoring for both games. She leads the Lone Star Conference through the opening weekend of play.
 
2 > Three-Point Efficiency Sets the Tone: LCU demonstrated their strength from beyond the arc, hitting eight three-pointers against Kutztown and an impressive 12 against Black Hills State. Their long-range shooting, especially in the Black Hills State game where they shot 52.2% from three, played a pivotal role in their 2-0 start to the season. LCU's 20 three-pointers and 45.5% shooting from outside leads the LSC.
 
3 > Dominance on the Boards: LCU controlled the rebounding game, out-rebounding Kutztown 38-28. Audrey Spurgin and Kennedy Chappell each contributed with nine rebounds against Kutztown, helping LCU establish a strong presence in the paint and gain additional scoring opportunities. LCU is second in the LSC in rebounding (32.5 per game) and they have four players in the top-10 in the LSC in rebounding: Grace Foster (7.0, tied for second), Audrey Spurgin (7.0, tied for second), Kennedy Chappell (6.0, tied for fourth) and Audrey Robertson (4.0, tied for 10^th).
 
4 > Unyielding Defense and Commanding Leads: The Lady Chaps never trailed in either game, a testament to their disciplined and effective defense. They limited Kutztown to just 32.7% shooting and kept Black Hills State from making any significant comeback. Opponents are shooting 38.2% against the Lady Chaps.
 
5 > Clutch Free-Throw Shooting: LCU was nearly perfect from the line, going 13-of-14 (92.9%) against Black Hills State, with Taylor Thomas hitting six critical free throws (6-of-6). In both games, they relied on strong free-throw shooting in the final minutes to close out their opponents (LCU is 12-of-14 from the free-throw line this season in the fourth quarter, 85.7%). LCU leads the LSC with a mark of 82.9% (29/35) from the line this season. Foster is 14-of-15 (93.3%).
 
BACK IN THE RANKINGS
Lubbock Christian University's women's basketball team enters the 2024-25 season ranked No. 17 in the D2CSC Women's Basketball Division II Top-25 Preseason Poll, a notable return to national prominence after an unusual preseason absence last year.
 
The Lady Chaparrals, who finished the 2023-24 season with a 22-10 record and trip to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional, had been unranked in the preseason polls a year ago for the first time since 2015-16 (their first season eligible for the poll), receiving only a few votes. This year, however, LCU is back in the Top-25, one of two teams from the Lone Star Conference to earn a spot in the rankings. Texas Woman's University leads the way for the LSC, coming in at No. 2 after a 34-5 season, followed by LCU at No. 17.
 
Minnesota State-Mankato claims the top position in the D2SIDA rankings, earning 14 first-place votes following their 32-5 season. Texas Woman's University follows at No. 2, while Grand Valley State, Tampa, and Gannon round out the top five.
 
This season's No. 17 ranking highlights the resurgence of LCU's program, which has consistently remained a postseason contender since joining NCAA Division II in 2015-16.
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT CSUP
1 > After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament with a strong 17-15 finish and a run to the RMAC Semifinals last season, the ThunderWolves are entering 2024-25 with redemption in mind. They are receiving top-25 votes in the WBCA Preseason Poll and are No.3 in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

2 > All-American Alisha Little returns for her sixth and final season, bringing unmatched impact on both ends of the court. Last year's NCAA Division II leader in double-doubles and blocks, Little's averages of 20.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game make her the centerpiece of CSU Pueblo's postseason hopes.

3 > With Alisha Little and Autumn Watts, CSU Pueblo boasts one of the most formidable frontcourts in the RMAC. Watts, a versatile Second Team All-RMAC selection, complements Little by averaging 10.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, which has CSUP labelling the duo as their "twin towers."

4 > Experienced guards Tomia Johnson and Landri Hudson return to lead the ThunderWolves' backcourt. Johnson, an All-RMAC Honorable Mention, brings passing and defensive skills (has 605 career points and 161 career steals), while Hudson, CSU Pueblo's three-point leader (50 three-pointers last season), adds perimeter scoring. Johnson has 605 points over her career.

5 > Five newcomers, including three transfers and two freshmen, add depth and versatility to CSU Pueblo's roster. Transfer Tosjanae Bonds brings defensive toughness, while Destiny Smith and Genesis Sweetwine provide shooting and flexibility. With a deeper bench, Coach Johnson has more options to implement his up-tempo strategy.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST CSUP
LCU leads the all-time series at 9-5 against CSUP (formerly known as Southern Colorado). The home team won the first five meetings, with LCU bucking that trend with a 2015-16 season-opening win in Pueblo. The two teams have met annually for the prior three seasons, with LCU posting a 3-1 record in the span (LCU has won three straight). The first two all-time meetings came down to the final buzzer. On Dec. 9, 1989 in Lubbock, Burgandy Bass hit the game winning shot at the horn for a 58-56 LCU win. Nearly a year later, on Dec. 8, 1989 in Pueblo, LCU rallied back from a 63-55 deficit with 24 points from Sherry Blackwell, but a three-pointer at the buzzer didn't fall and LCU lost 73-72. Seven of the prior 11 meetings have been in Colorado (four in Pueblo) and under Steve Gomez's watch.
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. CSUP
Here is a look at LCU's top three active leaders career vs. CSUP:
 
Grace Foster 4 gp, 14.3 ppg, 4/8 3fg, 21/21 ft, 6.3 reb p/g
Maci Maddox 4 gp, 9.3 ppg, 4/8 3fg
Audrey Robertson 4 gp, 8.0 ppg
 
PRIOR MEETING AGAINST CSUP
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (Nov. 11, 2023) - LCU 71 – CSUP 60
Grace Foster poured in 24 points, while Maci Maddox added 20, powering Lubbock Christian University past Colorado State-Pueblo 71-60 at CCU Events Center. Foster also grabbed eight rebounds and dished three assists, while Maddox filled the stat sheet with six rebounds, five assists, and five steals to help lift the Lady Chaps to a 3-1 start.
 
Audrey Robertson chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds, contributing to LCU's strong performance on both ends. Robertson's +20 plus/minus led the team as LCU forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 18 points.
 
The Lady Chaps set the tone early, jumping out to a 19-10 lead by the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on CSU-Pueblo's 12 turnovers. Lubbock Christian extended their advantage to 40-27 by halftime, with Maddox scoring six second-quarter points. Foster's perfect 13-for-13 free-throw shooting also boosted the Lady Chaps, marking her second consecutive game hitting all 13 free throws, one shy of the program record.
 
LCU continued to push after halftime, holding a 57-43 lead entering the fourth quarter. Despite a late surge by CSU-Pueblo, Lubbock Christian maintained control as Foster's nine points in the final period helped close out the win.
 
LCU's defense held the ThunderWolves to just 35.5% shooting and a mere 2-of-18 from three-point range. Lubbock Christian shot 44% from the field and hit 23-of-26 from the line, boosting their season free-throw percentage to 83.5%. The Lady Chaps' trio of Foster, Maddox, and Robertson accounted for 80% of their points.