PORTALES, N.M. (January 3, 2025) – Grace Foster delivered in the clutch, sinking a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining and following it up with a crucial defensive block, as her fifth double-double of the season (17 points, 11 rebounds) powered No. 7 Lubbock Christian University to a 59-53 road win over Eastern New Mexico on Friday night in Lone Star Conference action at Greyhound Arena. The West Division victory snapped a two-game skid for the Lady Chaps while dealing Eastern New Mexico their first conference loss of the season (5-1) and halting the Greyhounds' historic start.
The Lady Chaps (11-3, 5-1, 2-0 in the West Division), who entered the final quarter trailing by two points, had three players finish in double figures, led by Grace Foster, who put together a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Maci Maddox tacked on 14 points and Kennedy Chappell chipped in as well with 10 points and two steals.
Led by Reese Schumann's five offensive rebounds, Lubbock Christian did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 14 boards that resulted in 17 second chance points (!7-13 advantage in second-chance points).
Lubbock Christian's defense held Eastern New Mexico without a three-point field goal and to a 36.4 percent shooting mark from the field. ENMU, who was off to their best start in program history, fell to 10-2 on the season and had their eight-game win streak snapped (they are 5-1 in conference and 1-1 in the West Division). Ishuana Hunter led ENMU with 20 points and Julieta Ceja had a double-double with 12 rebounds and 11 points.
How It Happened
Both offenses had a sluggish start coming off the holiday break. ENMU went the opening 4:13 until they made their first field goal (opened the game 0-of-7), while LCU opened the game 3-of-11 from the field. Foster (five points) and Maddox (four points) combined for the first nine LCU points and helped build a 9-4 lead six minutes into the game. Maddox made all four of her field goal attempts in the period and helped give LCU a 14-8 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Lady Chaps used the second period to increase their lead and entered halftime with a 28-21 edge behind five points in the frame from Tia Johnson. LCU led as much as 20-11 in the half before taking a 28-21 lead heading into the halftime. Foster and Maddox co-led LCU with eight points in the half.
Lubbock Christian regained the nine-point lead, with Maddox connecting with a field goal 29 seconds into the second half, for a 30-21 advantage. ENMU responded with a 10-0 run in under a three-minute span to take a 31-30 lead. The Greyhounds outscored LCU 19-10 in the period and led 40-38 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Chaps trailed 43-38 less than 30 seconds into the fourth quarter, but Audrey Robertson ignited an 8-0 LCU run with a clutch three-pointer from long range. The Greyhounds responded with a 6-2 run to reclaim a 49-48 lead. However, ENMU faltered in the closing moments, missing their final five field-goal attempts and going the last 3:18 of the game without a basket. LCU capitalized, outscoring ENMU 11-4 in the final three minutes. The pivotal moment came with 20 seconds remaining, as Grace Foster drained a three-pointer to extend LCU's lead to 57-53. On the ensuing possession, Foster delivered a key defensive play by blocking a shot, which deflected off the Greyhounds' shooter to give the ball back to LCU. Kennedy Chappel went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the quarter, contributing to LCU's flawless 7-of-7 performance at the stripe. Foster (7 points) and Robertson (6 points) led the Lady Chaps' offense in the final frame, combining for 13 points. The duo totaled 17 points in the second half, with Foster posting nine points and six rebounds.
Game Notes
» Grace Foster notched a double-double for the Lady Chaps with 17 points and 11 rebounds. It marked her fifth of the season and 22nd of her LCU career.
» The Lady Chaps improved to 3-2 on the season when trailing after the fourth quarter. LCU was 0-10 last season when trailing after three quarters.
» LCU won despite shooting 34.0% from the field. They are 3-0 this season when shooting less than 35% from the field.
» Lubbock Christian had a 38-35 edge on the boards in the win. It marked the first time this season ENMU had been out-rebounded in a game this season. They had not had less than a +5 rebounding margin in a game this season prior to Friday.
» The Lady Chaps were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying six blocks as a team. Foster led the way with three blocks.
» Foster grabbed 11 rebounds and has 735 career rebounds, which moved her ahead of Carol Hise's mark of 732 (1990-94) and into fifth in program history. She needs 104 rebounds to pass Darla Lynch (838, 1979-83) to move into fourth in program history.
» ENMU entered the game ninth nationally in points off the bench and had not produced less than 22 points in a game, but LCU held the Greyhounds bench to a season-low 18 points off the bench. ENMU's overall scoring (53 points) was also a season low.
» The Greyhounds were 0-of-3 from three-point range. The last time they were without a three-point field goal was Jan. 2, 2022 (0/8). LCU last held an opponent without a three-pointer was on Nov. 25, 2021 (Minnesota Crookston was 0/12). The three three-point attempts were the fewest attempts against LCU since the Lady Chaps joined NCAA Division II (2015-16 was their first eligible season).
» Grace Foster was playing her seventh game against ENMU in her career and she is 10-of-21 from three-point range in those contests (she was 2-of-5 Friday).
» The win improved LCU to 2-1 on the season in true road games (all have been in conference play).
» LCU won their eighth consecutive meeting against ENMU in the all-time series and is 14-1 in the prior 15 meetings. Overall, ENMU has a 24-23 all-time advantage in the series.
Next Up
LCU remains on the road Sunday and has a 1 p.m. tip scheduled in Canyon, Texas against West Texas A&M for a Lone Star Conference West Division contest. The Rivalry on the Range matchup is scheduled to be played inside First United Bank Center, which is where LCU opened the regular season.
