LONE STAR CONFERENCE BASKETBALL
WEST TEXAS A&M (18-10, 13-7) at LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (19-8, 14-6)
Feb. 29, 2024 • 5:30 PM
Lubbock, Texas • Rip Griffin Center (1,950)
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
West Texas A&M	Lubbock, Texas	Thur. Feb. 29	5:30 p.m.	Video	Stats

GAME NOTES (PDF)

RANGE LIFE
A pair of games in the "Rivalry on The Range" rivalry series wraps up regular season play for Lubbock Christian University and West Texas A&M with a home-and-home series that begins Thursday in Rip Griffin Center (5:30 p.m.) and closes Saturday in Canyon, Texas (1 p.m.). The two Lone Star Conference games are also West Division games, as LCU enters the week tied with UT Permian Basin atop the divisional standings (both teams are 10-2 in the division). UTPB plays their final two games against Angelo State. LCU and UTPB are the only two teams mathematically eligible to play for a division title.
 
SATURDAY SETBACK
Lubbock Christian University attempted to rally from a 10-point deficit at St. Mary's Saturday, but Grace Foster, who led LCU with 14 points, was unable to connect on a three-pointer before the buzzer and the Lady Chaparrals fell 49-47 in the Lone Star Conference battle inside Bill Greehey Arena. The Lady Chaps had two players score in double figures, led by Foster, who had 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Maci Maddox tacked on 13 points and four assists and Audrey Robertson added four points and two steals.
 
SEASON NOTES AND TRENDS
> LCU opened the season with at least 20 points from the free-throw line in their first four games this season, marking their first four-game span of 20-or-more free-throws since Feb. 18 – Mar.23, 2017. The Lady Chaps are taking advantage from the free-throw line, making a LSC leading 77.4% of their attempts (336/434, 13th nationally) and averaging 12.4 points a game from the line (131^st nationally). Grace Foster has gone 13-of-13 from the free-throw line twice this season and had an active streak of 29 consecutive made free-throws earlier this season. Each of the 13-made free-throw performances involve the most free-throws made in a game (13) since Nicole Hampton had 15 on Jan. 14, 2016 (third-most since 2008). Foster had 13 on Nov. 5 against Adams State at home, which set a Rip Griffin Center record. Foster's 13-of-13 marks are each one off Hampton's 14-of-14 school-record performance on Jan. 14, 2016 (at Newman). Her 13-of-13 on Nov.5 did mark a new Rip Griffin Center record previously held by Laynee Burr, who was 12-of-12 on Feb. 4, 2022 (against Midwestern State). The performance at the line for Foster on Nov. 12 against CSU Pueblo marked her sixth game in which she was perfect from the line with six-or-more consecutive shots made. Foster is 89-of-100 on the season (.890, leads the LSC and 10th nationally), which leads the squad (of qualifiers). Shaylee Stovall, who is 37-of-41 (90.2%), has a solid percentage at the line, but does not meet the statistical qualifying mark for leaders (NCAA minimum to qualify is 2.5 made free-throws per game).

> The Lady Chaps have two players in the top-20 in LSC scoring this season. Foster ranks fifth in the LSC with an average of 15.6 points per game and Audrey Robertson is ranking 16th in the LSC with 13.6 points per game. Robertson and Maci Maddox are in the top-10 in minutes played, with Maddox second in the conference (seventh in the nation) with 37.4 minutes played per game (Robertson is seventh at 32.6). Maddox is fifth in the LSC with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.9 (has a 2.2 ratio in LSC play).

> Foster is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game (15th in the LSC), but is eighth in the LSC averaging 5.8 defensive rebounds per game. She led the LSC last season with a pace of 7.5 defensive rebounds per game.
 
> Maci Maddox leads LCU in steals with 51 on the season (11th in LSC) and ranks 10th in the LSC with a pace of 1.9 steals per game. She opened the season with at least one steal in the first seven games (has had at least one steal in 21 of 26 games this season) and had steals in 10 consecutive games (dating back to last season). Maddox opened last season with at least one steal in the first 11 games.
 
> LCU has shot at least 50% from the field in six games this season. As a team, LCU is second in the LSC and 42^nd nationally with a 42.9% shooting percentage from the field. LCU leads the LSC and is fourth nationally in three-point shooting, as they are 150-of- 399 (37.6%) from long range.
 
CONFERENCE CONVERSATION
For a fourth time (fifth season in LSC), LCU jumped out to a 2-0 start in LSC play and they head into Thursday 14-6 in LSC action, which has them in fifth place in the overall LSC standings. They are coming off a conference loss (49-47 Saturday at StMU), which put them 7-3 in conference road play. Grace Foster leads LCU in LSC play with an average of 15.2 points a game (seventh in the LSC). She is joined in a double-figure scoring pace by Audrey Robertson (14.7 points, ninth in LSC). Foster is 47-of-54 (87.0%) from the free-throw line and spearheads a squad that is shooting 74.2% (216/291) from the line in conference action. Reese Schumann leads LCU on the boards in LSC action, with a pace of 6.4 rebounds a contest.

NATIONALLY KNOWN (OR UNKNOWN)
Despite returning five starters from a regional-finalist squad, which also shared a divisional title, LCU did not garner the attention of voters in the preseason. This season, LCU received Top-25 votes in the WBCA Preseason Poll, but it is their first time they did not make the Top-25 for a WBCA preseason poll since the start of the 2017-18 season (second time not in a WBCA Preseason Poll since becoming eligible for the poll in 2015-16… WBCA did not conduct a preseason poll in 2020-21 due to COVID). Also, since joining NCAA Division II (2015-16 was their first postseason eligible season), the Lady Chaps have appeared in every D2CSC Preseason Poll until this season, as they also received votes in the D2CSC Top-25 Preseason Poll. LCU was ranked as high as No.18 in the D2CSC rankings (earlier this season) and was ranked No.20 in week-nine's polls (last time LCU was ranked).

SO ARE SOME OTHERS
LCU fell to No.13 Texas Woman's (Jan. 25) UT Tyler (Jan. 27), placing them with a 0-4 record this season against nationally ranked programs (lost to No.17 Union in their season opener, No.12 Southern Nazarene on Nov. 25 prior to their losses last week to No.12 UT Tyler and No.13 TWU). LCU went 6-0 against nationally ranked programs in 2020-21, 3-2 in 2021-22 (opened 3-0) and 2-5 last season against Top-25 competition. Of LCU's eight losses this season, four of the opponents have been nationally ranked and two opponents (Texas A&M International and Texas Permian Basin) were receiving votes.
 
SPEAKING OF RANKINGS
Wednesday, the NCAA released their second South Central Region rankings (first rankings are listed alphabetically) and Lubbock Christian made the list at the No.7 spot. Here are the rankings, as eight programs will receive a berth to the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals:
1. Texas Woman's University
2. Colorado Mesa
3. Regis (Colorado)
4. Colorado School of Mines         
5. Texas at Tyler
6. Texas Permian Basin    
7. Lubbock Christian
8. Adams State
9. Colorado-Colorado Springs
10. Colorado Christian       

OUR HOME
LCU is 10-4 at home this season. Grace Foster is leading LCU with 17.7 points per game on the home floor (also averaging 6.8 rebounds). The Lady Chaps, shooting 43.8% from the field inside "The Rip," are also receiving averages of 12.6 points from Audrey Robertson and 10.4 points a game from Maci Maddox. LCU is 181-of-241 from the free-throw line (75.1%) at home this season, with Shaylee Stovall 24-of-26 (92.3%) from the charity stripe. Foster is 26-of-48 (54.2%) from three-point range inside "The Rip," with Audrey Robertson marking the next closest Lady Chap leader in three-point shooting with 15 three-pointers made. Maci Maddox is 13-of-23 (56.5%) from outside at home.

SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO
The Lady Chaps, who went 12-2 at home last season, are 10-4 this season at home. On Feb. 2, 2023, the NCAA Division II record home win streak came to a close, as LCU fell to Angelo State, which ended the record win streak at 113. The loss was LCU's first at home since Jan. 1, 2015 against Oklahoma City University. LCU, who also had a 7-0 mark in NCAA postseason play in Lubbock in the mix (not including a 4-0 mark in LSC postseason play), had also won 88 consecutive home conference games (their last conference home loss occurred Jan. 10, 2013 against Oklahoma City). They completed a 49-0 all-time mark in Heartland Conference home games. LCU also went 11-0 during their 113-game home win streak against nationally ranked programs.

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
 
ROAD REVELATIONS
The Lady Chaparrals, who went 8-4 on the road last season, posts an 8-4 road record this season. they wrap up the regular season on the road Saturday in Canyon. Audrey Robertson leads LCU in road scoring with a pace of 14.5 points per game. LCU has three players averaging double-figures in scoring on the road, as Grace Foster (12.9) and Macy Maddox (11.5) join Robertson. Foster leads LCU with 5.5 rebounds in road-play. LCU is shooting 79.0% (132/167) from the line on the road, compared to 61.0% (94/154) by the home team (Grace Foster is 34-of-36 from the line on the road). Maddox is showing balance on the road, as she has 1.9 steals and 3.8 assists per game to go along with her 11.4 points per game.

EYE-OPENING
The 2023-24 season marks LCU's 11th since leaving the NAIA and LCU has a 285-55 record (83.8%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 24-3 all-time (88.9%).  
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT WT
1 > The Lady Buffs are 18-10 on the season, with a 13-7 record in LSC play (tied for 6th in the conference standings). They are 7-5 in the West Division this season.
2 > WT was preseason picked no.5 in the LSC Preseason Coaches Poll, as they were coming off a regional appearance last season. They went 21-11 last season.
3 > West Texas A&M is riding a season-high five-game win streak and they have won eight of their last nine games.
4 > Like LCU, WT takes advantage of their opportunities at the charity stripe, as they are second in the conference and behind LCU with a 76.2% free-throw percentage. Nyalam Thabach leads the squad with an 81.4% success rate at the line.
5 > Thabach is third in the LSC in blocks (33) and ranks seventh in the LSC with 7.9 rebounds per game.

THE SERIES AGAINST WT
LCU and WT are separated by 110 miles, but the two teams have only met 14 prior times (11 meetings since 2020). LCU has a 8-6 series advantage, although WT has won four of the prior five meetings. The first ever meeting was on Nov. 16, 2001, with WT defeating LCU 90-53 in Canyon, Texas (LCU's 2001-02 season opener). The two teams rounded out the regular season with a home-and-home and the visiting team won both meetings. LCU defeated WT in Canyon 71-60 (Feb. 23, 2023) before falling in overtime in Lubbock 79-88 (Feb. 25, 2023). Of their 14 prior meetings, three have been in NCAA postseason play (LCU has 2-1 record in NCAA postseason play).
 
ACTIVE LADY CHAP LEADERS VS. WT
LCU's active career leaders against WT:

Grace Foster 6gp, 11.7 pts p/g, 6/13 3-FG
Maci Maddox 6gp, 6.3 pts p/g, 16/31 FG
Shaylee Stovall 3gp, 6.3 pts p/g, 4/5 3-FG

PRIOR MEETING VS. WT
February 25, 2023 – Lubbock, Texas – WT 88 – LCU 79 (OT)
There were 27 lead changes and offense was on display in the regular season finale inside Rip Griffin Center, and West Texas A&M was able to do something they had never done in program history… post a win inside Lubbock Christian University's home venue. Behind 55.4% shooting from the field, the Lady Buffs defeated the Lady Chaparrals 88-79, in overtime, in a Lone Star Conference West Division meeting despite a double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds from LCU's Grace Foster.
 
West Texas A&M's offense shot 55.4% from the field, which was the best shooting mark by an LCU opponent since Tarleton State shot 58.9% against the Lady Chaps on Nov. 16, 2013. That meeting against the TexAnns was in Stephenville, Texas. Saturday's performance in Rip Griffin Center was the best by an opposition since Oklahoma City shot the same 55.4% on the same hardwood floor Feb. 27, 2010.
 
Lubbock Christian was not having a bad shooting afternoon either… at least until late in the game. LCU was 10-of-16 from three-point range, which is tied for their third-best three-point shooting mark (62.5%) since the 2009-2010 season. Lubbock Christian hasn't shot better since shooting 66.7% (12/18) on Nov. 17, 2017 against Western New Mexico.
 
The game also features two inside players having a duel in the paint. WTAMU's Nyalam Thabach was 12-of-18 from the field and hit all six free-throws she had to finish with a game-high 30 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double. Pacing with her was Foster, who posted 29 points and 11 rebounds for her second-highest point total of her LCU career and conference-leading 13^th double-double of the season.
 
Foster's 11 rebounds placed her with 279 on the season, which moved her past Darla Lynch's 1981-82 season total of 278 rebounds as the fifth-best single season mark in program history. The sophomore is three boards away from moving past Tess Bruffey's 2017-18 season total of 281 rebounds.
 
Saturday, WTAMU hit their shooting stride late in the third quarter, bleeding into the fourth quarter, as they made nine of 10 shot attempts from the field to take a 68-64 lead with 6:33 remaining. The Lady Chaps responded with an 8-0 run and a jumper by Shaylee Stovall put LCU up 72-68 with 4:12 remaining (Stovall had five of the points of the 8-0 run). LCU would go on to miss 11 of their next and final 12 field goal attempts from that moment on. The Lady Chaps were shooting 53.1% (26/49) at the time of Stovall's bucket and finished the game 44.3% (27/61) from the floor.
 
Five of the final seven points LCU scored were from the free-throw line, including a pair by Audrey Robertson with 10 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime frame. LCU would end up with one field goal (from Maci Maddox) in the overtime frame.
 
Karley Motschenbacher led WTAMU in the extra session with six points and finished with 16 points. Joining Motschenbacher and Thabach in double figures was Lauren Taylor (13 points) and Kyla Kane (10 points). The Lady Buffs will head to the LSC Championships as the No.6-seed with a 14-8 LSC mark on the 2022-23 campaign (21-9 overall).
 
Along with Foster's 29 points, LCU received 16 points from Maddox, and 14 points each from Robertson and Stovall. LCU was outscored 10-3 in second-chance scoring, as they were out-rebounded 40-24 in the contest. The points-off-turnovers was even at 15-15 despite LCU having a 16-11 advantage in forced turnovers. LCU closes the regular season 21-9 and with a 15-6 LSC mark.