NCAA DIVISION II SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL
QUARTERFINALS
No.2-Seed COLORADO MESA (24-6) vs No.7-seed LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (21-9)
Mar. 15, 2024 • 2:30 PM
Denton, Texas • Kitty Magee Arena (1,800)
 

NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
Colorado Mesa	Denton, Texas	Fri. Mar. 15	2:30 p.m.	Video	Stats

GAME NOTES (PDF)

PUT THE DANCING SHOES ON
Lubbock Christian University has been eligible for nine postseasons since moving to NCAA Division II (from NAIA) and Friday they make their eighth NCAA postseason appearance, as the No.7-seeded Lady Chaparrals open the 2024 NCAA Division II South Central Regional facing No.2-seed Colorado Mesa at Texas Woman's Kitty Magee Arena Friday for a scheduled 2:30 p.m. tip.
 
THE "IF's"
IF LCU WINS: If the Lady Chaps defeat CMU, they will improve to 22-9 on the season and will advance to the tournament Semifinals game to face either No.3-seed Regis or No.6-seed UT Tyler Saturday at 5 p.m. in Denton.
 
IF LCU LOSES: If the Lady Chaps fall to the Mavericks, their record will drop to 21-10, they will be eliminated from the tournament and they will suffer their third NCAA regional loss in program history and will have their season end with a 21-10 record.
 
FALLING IN FRISCO
Attempting to overcome a 16-points deficit in the second half, LCU went on a 10-2 run inside the final three minutes of regulation to force overtime, but Texas A&M International was able to holdoff the LCU surge and the Lady Chaparrals fell 90-80 in triple-overtime of Lone Star Conference Championship Quarterfinals inside Comerica Center. With the loss, the Lady Chaps were eliminated from the LSC Championship tournament.
 
The Lady Chaps had four players score in double figures, led by Grace Foster, who put together a double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Audrey Robertson added 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals and Maci Maddox chipped in as well with 14 points, seven assists and three steals.
 
The game was the longest game in LSC Championship (tournament) history, as the only game to make it into three overtimes.
 
RECOGNIZED
Grace Foster highlighted the night for LCU, during the LSC award reception, as she claimed the LSC Academic Player of the Year and became the second Lady Chap to ever receive the honor in the LSC. Foster joined 2020 recipient Maddi Chitsey (Crisler), and was also LCU's lone First Team All-Conference selection. Here were the recipients for LCU:
 
Grace Foster – First Team
Maci Maddox – Second Team
Audrey Robertson – Second Team
Kennedy Chappell – Freshman Team
 
EVEN MORE
The D2CCA announced Grace Foster as a Second Team All-South Central Regional selection. She became a two-time selection, as she was the All-Region Most Valuable Player last season.
 
The junior from Childress, Texas has excelled in the classroom (holds a 4.0 GPA in Criminal Justice) and on the hardwood, where she leads LCU in scoring (16.2) and rebounding (6.6). Her 16.2 points per game ranks third in the LSC and eighth in the region. Foster leads the LSC in free-throw percentage (88.9%, ninth nationally and third in the region), and also ranks in the top-10 in the LSC in field goal percentage (47.6%, seventh), seventh in defensive rebounds per game (6.1), eighth in minutes per game (33.2) and ninth in three-pointers per game (1.6). Foster has 1,288 career points and 611 career rebounds.

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 78.0% of their attempts (397/509, 12th nationally) and averaging 13.2 points a game from the line (92^nd 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 112-of-126 on the season (.889, leads the LSC and ninth nationally), which leads the squad (of qualifiers). Shaylee Stovall, who is 44-of-48 (91.7%), 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 third in the LSC with an average of 16.2 points per game and Audrey Robertson is ranking 13th in the LSC with 13.8 points per game. Robertson and Maci Maddox are in the top-10 in minutes played, with Maddox leading the conference (fourth in the nation) with 38.1 minutes played per game (Robertson is sixth at 33.6). Maddox is sixth in the LSC with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.8 (had a 2.3 ratio in LSC play).

> Foster is averaging 6.6 rebounds per game (14th in the LSC), but is eighth in the LSC averaging 6.1 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 57 on the season (11th in LSC) and ranks ninth 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 24 of 30 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 third in the LSC and 56^th nationally with a 42.4% shooting percentage from the field. LCU leads the LSC and is ninth nationally in three-point shooting, as they are 169-of- 464 (36.4%) 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 when the dust settled, LCU finished 16-6 in conference and tied for fourth place in the overall LSC standings. They closed out the regular season with a pair of West Division wins to claim the West Division title for a second consecutive season and a third time overall (LSC has not always used divisions year-to-year). Grace Foster led LCU in LSC play with an average of 15.7 points a game (sixth in the LSC). She was joined in a double-figure scoring pace by Audrey Robertson (14.8 points, ninth in LSC) and Maci Maddox (10.1 points). Foster went a conference-best 62-of-70 (88.6%) from the free-throw line (leads LSC) and spearheads a squad that led the LSC shooting 75.9% (249/328) from the line in conference action. Reese Schumann led LCU on the boards in LSC action, with a pace of 6.5 rebounds a contest.
 
TOURNEY TALK
Lubbock Christian is shooting 48.5% all-time in NCAA South Central Regional games, while holding opponents to a 37.9% shooting mark from the field and a 26.2% shooting woe from long range. Former Lady Chaps Maddi Chitsey is LCU's all-time leading scorer in regional action (in average scoring), averaging 17.2 points per game (she played in six career NCAA regional contests) and compiling 103 points. Allie Schulte is LCU's career leader in overall points scored in regional play with 109 career points in 11 career games. Schulte is also LCU's all-time leader in NCAA postseason scoring with 205 career points (in 18 games, which is the highest amount of postseason games played by a Lady Chap).
 
Grace Foster, a junior guard from Childress, Texas, is LCU's active leader in postseason scoring with 77 points and an average 12.8 points per game. A member of last season's All-Tournament Team, Foster is 22-of-49 (.449) from the field and 30-of-32 (92.8%) from the free-throw line in six career NCAA postseason games. Last season, LCU opened the regional with a win over Texas Woman's behind a 29-point performance from Foster, who registered the highest single-game point total in LCU's NCAA postseason history. Audrey Robertson (7 games), Maci Maddox (7), Shaylee Stovall (5) are active members on the LCU roster leading with experience appearing in NCAA regional contests.
 
LCU's ALL-TIME REGIONALS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
 
2015-2016
Tess Bruffey (MOP)
Nicole Hampton
Haley Fowler
 
2017-2018
Tess Bruffey (MOP)
Maddi Chitsey
 
2018-2019
Olivia Robertson (MOP)
Maddi Chitsey
 
2020-2021
Emma Middleton (MOP)
Allie Schulte
Juliana Robertson
 
2021-2022
Ashton Duncan
Juliana Robertson
 
2022-2023
Grace Foster
Maci Maddox

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
Following a pair of losses, falling to No.13 Texas Woman's (Jan. 25) and UT Tyler (Jan. 27), LCU fell to 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 nine 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.
 
SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO
The Lady Chaps, who went 12-2 at home last season, are 11-4 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
 
PUT IT IN NEUTRAL
Friday will mark LCU's third neutral site game of the season. Their only prior neutral site games on the season were Nov. 11 in Lakewood, Colo., as LCU defeated Colorado State Pueblo 71-60, and last Friday's triple-overtime loss to Texas A&M International (90-80) in the LSC Championship. LCU is averaging 32 free-throw attempts per neutral site game (averaging 25.5 makes per game) and Grace Foster is 21-of-23 (91.3%) from the line. Foster leads LCU in their two neutral site games with an average of 23.0 points per game. Maci Maddox (17.0) and Audrey Robertson (15.5) are also averaging double figures in scoring.

EYE-OPENING
The 2023-24 season marks LCU's 11th since leaving the NAIA and LCU has a 287-56 record (83.7%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 24-3 all-time (88.9%).  
 
FIVE THINGS ABOUT CMU
1 > The Mavericks are coming off a 13-16 season from last season, which included a conference record of 12-10, which placed them seventh in the RMAC. This season they have nearly doubled their win production, as they have a 24-6 record and finished as Co-Champions of the RMAC with an 18-4 mark in conference play. They entered the RMAC tournament as the top seed, but lost at home to Colorado State Pueblo in their opening round.
2 > Colorado Mesa was picked to finish sixth in the LSC this season, as they took the No.6 spot (of 15) in the conference's Preseason Coaches' Poll.
3 > Olivia Reed is an All-Region First Team selection and was the RMAC Player of the Year. Reed led the RMAC in field goal percentage (.573), was second in rebound average (11.2), fifth in scoring (16.9) and was first in total offensive rebounds (132). She had 11 double-doubles this season and four times scored 30 points in a game.
4 > CMU leads the RMAC and is sixth nationally in assist/turnover ratio, as they rank 20^th nationally with a low of 13.0 turnovers per game. Kylie Kravig ranks ninth nationally in assists per game (5.6).
5 > The Mavs rank 12^th nationally with an average of 7.7 rebounds per game.

THE SERIES AGAINST CMU
The Lady Chaps and Mavs have only met twice prior, meeting in Gunnison, Colo. on Nov. 21, 2003 (neutral site contest) and in Grand Junction, Colo. at the 2019 NCAA Divison II South Central Regional (Mar. 16, 2023). LCU was victorious in both meetings. In 2003, LCU won 74-73 and the contest was Coach Steve Gomez's third all-time win, as the 16^th-year head coach was in his first season coaching the Lady Chaps. In 2019, LCU closed the game on a 7-0 run and won 56-53 at Brownson Arena.

PRIOR MEETING VS. CMU
March 16, 2019 – Lubbock, Texas – LCU 56 – CMU 53
No.15/20 Colorado Mesa was scoreless over the final 3:09 and was unable to tie the game with four possessions in the final four seconds of the game, as No.24/25 Lubbock Christian University ended the game on a 7-0 run and the No.3-seed Lady Chaps escaped with a 56-53 win over No.2-seed Mavericks, ending the Mavericks 20-game home win streak inside a rowdy Brownson Arena.
 
With 3:09 left, D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year Jaylyn Duran connected on a three-pointer to put CMU up 53-49. Over the final 3:09, Colorado Mesa was 0-of-5 from the field and they produced three turnovers. Meanwhile, LCU made four of their final five field goal attempts and closed the game on a 7-0 run. Caitlyn Cunyus started the run with a layup. Following a pair of missed field goal attempts and a turnover by the Mavericks, LCU took the lead with a pair of inside baskets by Bobbi Chitsey to put LCU up 55-53, as 1:03 remained. Kelsey Siemons, whose only field goal of the game was a three-pointer earlier in the quarter, attempted a three-pointer with 48 seconds left, but it was blocked by Maddi Chitsey. LCU was unable to add to the 55-53 lead, as LCU missed their shot attempt and CMU came away with the rebound with 16 seconds remaining. The Mavericks went to Duran again for a three-point attempt, but Juliana Robertson was there for the block. Olivia Robertson went to the free-throw line with four seconds left and made one of two free-throws to put LCU up 56-53. Following the timeout and advancement to the front court, Siemons attempted to put a pass into the right corner for an awaiting Duran, but Juliana Robertson jumped the passing lane and got the steal. She was fouled with four-tenths of a second left (0.4). Juliana missed both free throws and had a lane violation on the second attempt, leading to the Mavericks calling a timeout and advancing the inbounds with 0.4 left. They inbounded for a shot by Siemens, just inside half court, and the shot hit the back iron and the buzzer finally sounded, leading to a celebration of blue among a near capacity crowd of 1,659 fans.
 
It was a tightly played game throughout. The two teams combined for 11 lead changes and the score was tied on an additional 10 instances. Neither team had more than a six-point lead and LCU was able to overcome a six-point deficit. Colorado Mesa had the lead for 20:01 of the game.
 
LCU did lead following three of the quarters, leading 12-10 after the opening frame and leading 38-37 after the third quarter. They struggled in the second quarter. The Lady Chaps, who were held to five field goals in the entire first half, were 2-of-10 from the field in the quarter. They had a 20-15 lead in the second quarter, but then did not connect on a field goal for the next 8:39, which led to them trailing at the half 26-23.
 
Allie Schulte ended the drought with a steal and a layup, which jump-started a 9-0 LCU run to take a 32-28 lead. It was quickly erased, as CMU responded with a 7-0 run. Eight of the 11 lead changes took place in the second half.
 
The statistics were not indicative to the outcome, as LCU struggled in many offensive areas. Fortunately for the Lady Chaps, they had 23 points from the free-throw line (second-most on the season) on a season-high 32 attempts. Entering the game ranked 11^th in fewest fouls per game, LCU was whistled above their 14.1 fouls per game average, being whistled 15 times, but still had a 23-11 scoring advantage from the line.
 
Here is a look at where LCU struggled:

• LCU was 16-of-40 from the field (40%) and it was just their fourth game of season shooting under 42%.
• The Lady Chaps were 1-of-8 from three-point range. The one three-pointer is the lowest in a game since recording one against St. Edward's at the Heartland Conference Tournament on Mar. 5, 2017. LCU was 11-of-18 the prior night from three-point range.
• LCU was out-rebounded 31-29, which is only the third time LCU has been out-rebounded in the past 30 games.
• The Lady Chaps could not capitalize on turnovers, as they were outscored 16-12 in points-off-turnovers despite a 15-10 turnover advantage.

 
LCU overcame the low-marks and adversity behind the play of Olivia Robertson, who led all scorers with 20 points. Robertson co-led the team (with Caitlyn Cunyus) with five boards and was 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Maddi Chitsey also finished in double-figures with 15 points.
 
CMU had their season end at 27-4. Kylyn Rigsby led the mavericks with 12 points and Daniella Turner and Duran each posted 10 points. Duran's total was a season-low.