LAS VEGAS, Nev. (December 19, 2024) – A decisive 7-0 fourth quarter run by No. 8 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (Fla.) preserved the Eagles' perfect record (10-0), as No. 7 Lubbock Christian University fell 66-58 in their Holiday Hoops Classic opener Thursday inside South Point Arena. Despite the loss, LCU was led by strong performances from Audrey Robertson (21 points), Grace Foster (15), and Maci Maddox (14), who combined for 50 points—accounting for 86.2% of the team's offense.
 
Robertson led the Lady Chaps (10-2) with 21 points and nine rebounds. Foster tacked on 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks and Maci Maddox helped out with 14 points, four assists and two steals.
 
EARU received 19 points from Madyson Jean-Louis, who was 6-of-9from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
 
How It Happened
Lubbock Christian and Embry-Riddle had a neck-and-neck opening quarter until the Eagles went on a 6-0 run as LCU struggled offensively with a 1-of-6 shooting stretch from the field. The Eagles run put them up 17-10 before a 17-12 lead at the close of the quarter.  Maddox (7) and Robertson (5) combined for all 12 points in the frame for LCU.
 
Lubbock Christian opened the second quarter completing a 9-0 run with Robertson scoring the first seven points of the quarter for a 19-17 lead.  The teams traded leads and ERAU built a 34-29 lead before a three-pointer at the horn by Maddox cut the Eagles lead to 34-32 at the halftime break. Maddox and Robertson each had 12 points in the first half of play.
 
After intermission, Lubbock Christian used a a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Foster, to grab a 45-43 lead with 3:38 to go in the third quarter. Robertson closed the quarter's scoring with a three-pointer, which sent the contest to the fourth quarter tied 48-48. Foster and Robertson each had five points in the period for the Lady Chaps.
 
The Lady Chaps overcame a 53-50 deficit with a 4-0 run, with Kennedy Chappel making a pair of free-throws to give LCU a 54-53 lead with 4:31 remaining. ERAU responded with the most important offensive surge, as the Eagles went on a 7-0 run for a 60-54 lead with 2:48 remaining. LCU could not overcome the deficit, as they closed the game 2-of-7 from the field and missed their final three shot attempts.
 
Game Notes
» Audrey Robertson, Grace Foster, and Maci Maddox combined to account for 86 percent of the Lady Chaps points. Robertson's 21 points matched a season high (she had 21 against Colorado Christian Nov. 9 in Tyler, Texas). She also produced a season-high in rebounds with nine.
 
» The Lady Chaps were 7-of-13 from three-point range before missing their last six three-point attempts of the game (went 7-of-19 overall from three-point range in the game). They had a 5-of-7 shooting stretch midway through the game. Robertson (3-of-5) and Maddox (2-of-5) combined to go 5-of-10 from three-point range.

» The Lady Chaps held the Rattlers to only 26.8 percent shooting from the field. It is the second time the Lady Chaps have held the opposition to under a 30% shooting mark.

» The Lubbock Christian bench was coming off a season-high 34 points against St. Mary's (24 points in the second half), but they followed up Thursday with a season-low two points (from the bench).

» The loss marked LCU's first neutral site loss of the season (4-1). They also fell to 1-2 in games against nationally ranked programs this season (all three games are against teams in the top-10 and none have been at home).
 
» The two teams were meeting for the first time all-time and LCU falls to 3-1 all-time against Florida based programs. LCU also fell to 1-2 all-time in games played at the Holiday Hoops Classic.
 
Next Up
The Lady Chaps remain at the Holiday Hoops Classic Friday and play another 11 a.m. (Central) tip inside South Point Arena, as they will face No.3 Montana State Billings.