EDMOND, Okla. (December 11, 2025) — Lubbock Christian University used an early comeback and survived an Oklahoma Christian University comeback attempt to win 70-67 in a tightly contested matchup at Eagles' Nest on Thursday.
The Chaparrals led by two at halftime and managed to hold off a late surge by the Eagles. Key to the victory were the Chaps' 15 assists and five blocks, while OC capitalized on turnovers, scoring 17 points off the 12 by the Chaps.
Lubbock Christian is now 9-0 overall and 3-0 in Lone Star play, marking their best start to a season since 2021. The Eagles hold a record of 4-4 overall and 0-3 in LSC competition.
Lubbock Christian opened the scoring with a jumper by
Amondo Miller Jr. at 19:50, but the early part of the game was controlled by Oklahoma Christian, who built a 20-10 lead by the at the 11:12 mark. At that point, the Chaps mounted a comeback, scoring 17 straight points and holding the Eagles without a point for more than eight minutes.
A pair of free throws from Miller Jr. tied the game at the 5:46 mark, and he gave them the lead with a jumper.
Lucas Mercandino then extended the advantage with a three-pointer at the 4:15 mark. OC responded but remained behind as
Alex Anamekwe's late three-pointer secured a narrow 30-28 lead for the Chaps as the two teams went into the locker room.
LCU struggled to shoot the ball in the half at 38 percent, but clamped down defensively to limit OC to 31 percent shooting in the opening period.
The Chaparrals initiated the second half with momentum, highlighted by Anamekwe's consecutive three-pointers at 19:44 and 18:50, assisted both times by Mercandino. This early surge extended their lead to 36–28, prompting an early timeout from the Eagles.
The lead continue to grow for Lubbock Christian, and a tip-in from Antonio Pustari with just under 10 minutes to go gave them their largest lead of the game at 13 points. OC would not go away quietly though, using a 9-4 run to pull within four with just over four minutes left.
Mercandino answered with a three-pointer, but Oklahoma Christian rattled off another five straight points and trailed by only two points with only 35 seconds left. Miller Jr. made four free throws down the stretch as OC was forced to foul to stop the clock. Despite a last-second 3-pointer by the Eagles, the Chaparrals secured a 70–67 victory, closing the game with a strong performance in the final minutes.
Alex Anamekwe led the team with 20 points, converting 4 of 5 three-point attempts, and added two blocks.
Lucas Mercandino added 18 points, hitting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc and dishing out six assists.
Amondo Miller Jr. contributed 11 points, making all seven of his free throw attempts and collecting seven rebounds.
Antonio Pusateri tallied 13 points and recorded three blocks while securing 10 rebounds.
GAME NOTES:
- Anamekwe's 20 points are a new career and season high, surpassing his previous high of 18 on Nov. 1 against UVA Wise. He also matched his career high with four made three-pointers.
- Mercandino also set a new career high with his 18 points and matched his three-pointer mark with three.
- Despite getting beat 8-7 on the offensive glass, the Chaps out-rebounded the Eagles 30-27, marking their eighth time out-rebounding an opponent in nine games this season.
- Thursday marked the fifth time this season that Pusateri led the Chaps in rebounding and his LSC-leading fifth double-double of the year.
- Pusateri's three blocks are the most by a Chap in a single game this season.
NEXT UP:
The Chaps will play once more in the Sooner State, taking on Cameron at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Lawton, Oklahoma.
