TYLER, Texas (December 3, 2024) – The final two games of Lubbock Christian University's 2018-19 NCAA Division II National Championship season marked their last consecutive matchups against nationally ranked top-10 opponents, with victories over No. 1 Drury and No. 4 Southwestern Oklahoma State. While no championship is on the line this week, the stakes are significant within the Lone Star Conference. The No. 2 (D2CSC) Lady Chaps embark on their first conference road trip of the season, visiting No. 5 (D2CSC) UT Tyler in Tyler, Texas, Wednesday at 5 p.m., before heading to Denton, Texas, to take on No. 2 (WBCA) Texas Woman's Friday at 6 p.m.
  

LSC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	VIDEO	RADIO	STATS
UT Tyler	Tyler, Texas	Wed., Dec. 4	5 p.m.	Watch	None	Stats

ALL BARK
Grace Foster's 30-point, 12-rebound double-double powered No. 5 Lubbock Christian University to a 67-59 comeback win over previously unbeaten Southwestern Oklahoma State at the Rip Griffin Center. LCU erased a 12-point deficit and used a dominant 21-12 fourth quarter to seal the victory. Foster, who scored the team's first 14 points of the final frame, hit three consecutive three-pointers to give LCU the edge. The Lady Chaps (8-0) out-rebounded SWOSU 45-33, converting 13 offensive boards into nine second-chance points. Audrey Robertson added 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while Maci Maddox chipped in 11 points. Defensively, LCU held the Bulldogs to 33.9% shooting, including 22.6% in the second half.
 
NOW A 10-TIME PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grace Foster earned her third Lone Star Conference weekly honor this season, claiming her first Offensive Player of the Week recognition this week. The senior from Childress, Texas, led No. 5 Lubbock Christian University to a 67-59 comeback win over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Nov. 26, recording 30 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Her 30-point performance is the Lone Star Conference's only such game this season and marked her career's third. Foster shot an efficient 64.7% from the field and 5-of-9 from three-point range. She scored 19 of her points in the second half, including 14 straight to start the fourth quarter, rallying LCU from a double-digit deficit to remain unbeaten. Foster leads the LSC in scoring (22.4 PPG), blocks (15), defensive rebounds per game (8.4), and three-pointers made (21). This is her 10th career weekly honor and seventh for offensive play.
 
CHAP-TIVATING STATS: 5 LADY CHAP FACTS
1 > Foster's Dominance Shines: Grace Foster continues to lead LCU's charge to a perfect 8-0 start, now topping the Lone Star Conference in scoring (22.4 PPG) and defensive rebounds per game (8.4). Nationally, she ranks eighth in scoring and fourth in defensive rebounds per game. Foster added to her impressive resume with her fourth double-double of the season, further solidifying her dominance as the LSC leader in free throws made (40) and total blocks (15).
 
2 > On-Point: Point guard Maci Maddox has contributed 30 total assists this season, which leads the conference. She boasts a 2.50 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 28th nationally and second in the LSC. Maddox helps LCU rank 18^th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.17), as they rank sixth nationally with a low pace of 11.9 turnovers per-game. Her knack for controlling the tempo and efficiency has been pivotal, as evidenced by her team-best 36.07 minutes per game (22nd nationally).
 
3 > Defensive Prowess: LCU's defense remains a cornerstone of their success, ranking 30th nationally and third in the LSC in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 53.6 PPG. They are also excelling in opponent field goal percentage, limiting teams to a stingy 34% shooting (25th nationally).
 
4 > Assistance: LCU ranks fifth in the LSC in assists per game (13.9), with Maddox (30, 44^th nationally) and Audrey Robertson (26) lead the way with 56 combined assists. LCU has produced at least 11 assists in all eight games this season (last time they had a stretch of the magnitude was a 14-game stretch of at least 11 assists during the 2022-23 season.
 
5 > Shooting Efficiency: LCU's offense continues to operate with remarkable efficiency, ranking 20th nationally in three-point shooting percentage (37.5%) and 41st in field goal percentage (44.7%). Grace Foster leads the team with 21 three-pointers this season, tying her for 18th nationally, while Audrey Robertson's 50% accuracy from deep ties her for the conference lead. Robertson is second in the LSC, behind Foster, with 19 three-pointers, which is 34^th nationally.
 
OPEN ROAD 
LCU's contest in Tyler marks LCU's first true road game of the season, as their 8-0 record is comprised of a 4-0 home record and a 4-0 mark in neutral site play. The Lady Chaps went 9-4 last season in road contests.
 
JUMPED RIGHT IN 
LCU is the only Lone Star Conference program with two conference games played this season. The Lady Chaps are 2-0 this season in conference play. They average 74 points per game while holding opponents to 58.5, achieving a +15.5 scoring margin. Grace Foster leads the charge with 22 points per game, shooting 53.8% from the field and 84.6% from the free-throw line. Audrey Robertson adds 13 points per game, while Maci Maddox contributes 9.0 points and 3.0 assists per contest. LCU has excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 80% of their attempts, and displayed disciplined ball control with just 7.0 turnovers per game compared to their opponents' 13.5. Defensively, LCU has forced 12 steals and blocked six shots over two games.
 
SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO 
On Feb. 2, 2023, LCU's NCAA Division II record home win streak ended at 113 games with a loss to Angelo State. The defeat marked the Lady Chaps' first home loss since Jan. 1, 2015, against Oklahoma City University. During the streak, LCU also posted a 7-0 record in NCAA postseason play in Lubbock (excluding a 4-0 mark in LSC postseason play) and won 88 consecutive home conference games, with their last conference home loss occurring on Jan. 10, 2013, also against Oklahoma City. LCU achieved a perfect 49-0 record in Heartland Conference home games and went 11-0 against nationally ranked opponents during the streak.

NCAA DIVISION II'S LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS
113 - Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 - Feb. 2, 2023
87 - Neb. Kearney Jan. 31, 1995-Nov. 24, 2001
85 - West Tex. A&M Jan. 9, 1987-Dec. 6, 1991

EYE-OPENING
The 2024-25 season marks LCU's 12th since leaving the NAIA and LCU is 295-57 record (83.8%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 24-4 all-time (85.7%).
 
BACK IN THE RANKINGS
Lubbock Christian University's women's basketball team entered 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. They were receiving votes in the WBCA Preseason Poll (Division II).
 
In the latest polls, for both national Division II polling organizations, LCU is ranked No.2 by D2CSC and No.4 by WBCA.
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT UTT
1 > UT Tyler has opened the 2024-25 season with a flawless 5-0 record, including a 1-0 start in Lone Star Conference play. The Patriots have dominated at home, winning all four games at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center, highlighted by a 60-50 victory over then-No.1 Texas Woman's in their conference opener on Nov. 23. They added a road win on Nov. 29 with a 63-51 triumph over Fort Lewis College in Colorado. UT Tyler's success has been fueled by strong defensive performances, as they have held opponents to fewer than 60 points in four of their five wins.
 
2 > UTT had a strong 2023-24 women's basketball season, finishing with a 27-9 overall record (.750) and an 18-4 conference record (.818), good for second place in the Lone Star Conference East Division. The team showcased dominance at home (13-2) and performed well on the road (10-3) while splitting neutral-site games (4-4). Key highlights of the season included a 16-game win streak and a victory over West Texas A&M in the LSC tournament. The Patriots advanced to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional, where they defeated Regis and Colorado Mesa before falling to Texas Woman's in the regional final, ending their season on a high note with a deep playoff run. UTT was preseason picked to finish third in the LSC this season.

3 > UT Tyler's defensive tenacity shines through their steals per game, where they rank second in the Lone Star Conference with an average of 13 steals per contest. This relentless pursuit of turnovers has propelled them to 24th nationally. They produced a season-high 24 steals against Dallas Christian (Nov. 16).

4 > The Patriots excel in perimeter shooting, leading the conference in three-pointers per game with 9.2, ranking 16th nationally. Their volume of attempts (30 per game) ranks fifth nationally.

5 > Lovisa Hevinder emerges as a pivotal figure for UT Tyler. Leading the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.63), she tops the Lone Star Conference and ranks 25th nationally. Meagan Mendazona leads the Patriots with 18.8 points per game.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST UTT
LCU leads the all-times series 4-3 over UTT, with UTT winning each of the three previous meetings. The Patriots are in their sixth season since transitioning from Division III to Division II and in their fourth season of postseason eligibility. The first five meetings of the all-time series were played in Tyler, Texas. The streak ended Mar. 13, 2023, as UTT and LCU met in San Angelo, Texas in the championship game of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional, where LCU fell 67-64 in double overtime. LCU is 4-1 all-time against UTT in Tyler, with UTT winning the previous meeting there 57-37 on Jan. 15, 2022.
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. UTT
LCU's active career leaders against UTT:

Maci Maddox 6gp, 7.8 pts, 10/17 3-FG (.588)
Grace Foster 4gp, 7.5 pts, 8.0 reb., 12/14 FT
Audrey Robertson 6gp, 7.2 pts, 3.0 assists, 10/11 FT
 
PRIOR MEETING AGAINST UTT
LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 25, 2023) – UTT 57 – LCU 56
No. 12 UT Tyler extended its win streak to 16 games with a dramatic 57-56 victory over No. 20 Lubbock Christian University on Thursday night at the Rip Griffin Center. Tina Machalova's layup with 1.9 seconds remaining sealed the Patriots' win, ending LCU's seven-game win streak.
 
The Lady Chaps had two players score in double figures, with Audrey Robertson leading the team with 17 points. Reese Schumann added 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Maci Maddox contributed eight points and matched a career high with five steals. LCU forced 17 turnovers, scoring 21 points off those takeaways, while committing just 11 turnovers of their own.
 
UT Tyler relied on balanced scoring, with Destini Whitehead tallying 13 points, Montse Gutierrez scoring 12, and Machalova adding 10, including eight in the fourth quarter.
LCU led for most of the game, using a 9-0 run to take a 9-2 lead in the opening quarter and holding a 31-30 edge at halftime. Schumann scored 11 first-half points, and LCU capitalized on turnovers to maintain momentum.
 
The Patriots surged in the third quarter, outscoring LCU 14-11 and taking a 44-42 lead on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Meagan Mendazona. LCU regained the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Grace Foster, for a 51-46 advantage.
 
The Lady Chaps struggled offensively down the stretch, making just one field goal in the final eight minutes. Robertson's basket with 2:15 remaining gave LCU a 56-53 lead, but UT Tyler closed with four unanswered points, including Machalova's game-winning layup following an LCU shot-clock violation.