DENVER, Colo. (December 18, 2025) – No. 3 Lubbock Christian University closes its pre-Christmas slate Thursday as the Lady Chaps carry their seven-game road trip into Auraria Events Center for a 6:30 p.m. (CT) nonconference contest against Metropolitan State of Denver (MSU Denver).
 

NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
MSU Denver	Denver, Colo.	Thur. Dec. 18	6:30 p.m. (CT)	Video	Stats

 
TIME TO BOUNCE BACK
LCU's late rally came up short Tuesday night, as the Lady Chaps fell 71–67 to UCCS inside Gallogly Events Center in a nonconference road contest, marking LCU's first loss of the season and its third game of a seven-game road swing.
 
LCU (11–1, 4–0 LSC) trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before surging late. After a foul with 3:18 remaining sent UCCS to the line for three free throws to make it 67–55, the Lady Chaps responded with a 12–2 run. Kennedy Chappell scored seven points during the stretch, capped by a Taylor Allen three-pointer with 21 seconds left to pull LCU within 69–67. Trailing 70–67 in the final 15 seconds, LCU missed a potential tying three and a put-back on the ensuing offensive rebound, as UCCS sealed the win at the line.
 
Chappell led LCU with her first career double-double, posting 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists while shooting 8-of-15 from the field. Meg Meekins added 12 points, Martie McCoy scored 11 (all after halftime), and freshman Mattie Dollar recorded her first career double-digit effort with 10 points.
 
UCCS (6–5, 2–2 RMAC) was paced by Amyah Moore Allen's game-high 25 points. The loss snapped LCU's 14-game road winning streak and dropped the Lady Chaps to 4–1 in road games this season.
 
CHAP-TIVATING STATS: 5 LADY CHAP FACTS
1 > Still Among the Nation's Elite Despite First Setback
Lubbock Christian remains firmly entrenched among Division II's top programs, entering Thursday at 11–1 overall and 2-0 in Lone Star Conference play, tied for the best winning percentage in the league (.917). Tuesday's setback at UCCS marked LCU's first loss of the season and the third game of an active seven-game road swing. The Lady Chaps still rank 7th nationally in winning percentage and sit alone atop the LSC standings, having already secured conference road wins at Oklahoma Christian and Cameron.
 
2 > Division II's Premier Three-Point Shooting Team
LCU continues to set the standard nationally from beyond the arc, ranking 7th in Division II and 1st in the LSC in three-point percentage (38.3%). The Lady Chaps also sit 24th nationally in three-pointers made per game (8.3) while attempting 21.8 threes per contest, a Top-5 league mark. Freshman Meg Meekins leads the LSC and ranks 16th nationally in three-point percentage (46.3%), pacing the conference with 31 made threes while knocking down a triple in all 12 games this season.
 
3 > Kennedy Chappell: Complete Guard, Nationally Ranked Producer
Junior Kennedy Chappell anchors the LCU attack, leading the Lone Star Conference in points (195), field goals made (67), free throws made (53), assists (53), and minutes per game (34.4). She ranks 18th nationally in total points, 34th in scoring average (16.3 ppg), and Top-35 nationally in assists per game (4.4). Chappell also owns the best field-goal percentage in the LSC (54.9%), pairing elite efficiency with playmaking and defensive activity (24 steals).
 
4 > Efficient Offense, Disciplined Defense
LCU ranks 53rd nationally and 3rd in the LSC in field-goal percentage (43.1%), while holding opponents to 37.4% shooting. The Lady Chaps stand 41st nationally in scoring defense (57.3 ppg) and 59th in scoring margin (+10.4). Ball security remains a hallmark, as LCU ranks 28th nationally and 2nd in the LSC in fewest turnovers per game (14.0) and 48th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.97).
 
5 > Balanced Contributions Across the Rotation
LCU features three players averaging double figures and has received double-digit scoring from seven different players this season. Meg Meekins (15.1 ppg) and Martie McCoy (8.9 ppg) complement Chappell with efficiency and versatility, while McCoy ranks 1st in the LSC and 17th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.42). Freshman Mattie Dollar posted her first career double-figure effort (10 points Tuesday at UCCS), highlighting the continued development and depth of a Lady Chap rotation that remains one of the most balanced in the conference.
 
ON THE ROAD
Lubbock Christian has continued to perform well away from home this season, posting a 4–1 record in road games while outscoring opponents 62.8–54.8 for a +8.0 scoring margin. The Lady Chaps have shot 42.6% from the field in away contests and remain highly effective from long range, connecting on 38.4% from three-point distance while averaging 7.6 made threes per game. Defensively, LCU has limited road opponents to 35.1% shooting overall and just 24.2% from beyond the arc, holding foes under 55 points per game.
 
LCU has also controlled the glass on the road, owning a +4.0 rebounding margin (33.8–29.8), while averaging 10.6 assists per game in away settings. Kennedy Chappell leads the road scoring effort at 14.8 points per game, adding 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest on 53.7% shooting. Meg Meekins follows closely with 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, shooting 41.7% from three-point range. Martie McCoy contributes 9.4 points per game, while Tia Johnson adds 6.8 points in road play. Off the bench, Maddie Moyers has provided a spark, averaging 5.0 points per game while shooting 46.2% from three (6-of-13).
 
Tuesday's setback at UCCS snapped LCU's 14-game road winning streak, but the Lady Chaps remain one of the Lone Star Conference's most reliable road teams as their seven-game road swing continues.
 
EYE-OPENING
The 2025-26 season marks LCU's 13th since leaving the NAIA and LCU is 330-63 record (84.0%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 27-5 all-time (78.1%).
 
NATIONALLY KNOWN
Prior to this season, national rankings were conducted by WBCA and D2CSC in NCAA Division II women's basketball, but a decision was made to discontinue D2CSC top-25 polls in all sports, so the WBCA is the lone national poll available for NCAA Division II women's basketball. LCU, who closed last season ranked No.7 in the final WBCA Coaches Poll, opened this season at No.13 in the WBCA Preseason Coaches Poll. They are currently ranked No.3 nationally in the poll, moving up from No.4 last week.
 
FIVE FACTS ABOUT MSUD  
1 > MSU Denver enters the matchup at 3–7 overall and 2–2 in RMAC play, sitting in the middle tier of the conference standings. The Roadrunners have been competitive despite early challenges away from home, where they are 1–4, while splitting their four home games. Offensively, MSU Denver averages 70.2 points per game, ranking fifth in the RMAC, but has struggled defensively at times, allowing 78.2 points per contest. The Roadrunners snapped a brief skid with a road win at Westminster and look to build momentum as conference play intensifies.
 
2 > This season marks a significant transition for MSU Denver, as Lynn Kennedy takes over as the program's 12th head coach, following the retirement of longtime leader Tanya Haave, who posted a 252–179 record over 14 seasons. Kennedy brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience across Division I, Division II, and NAIA levels, including NCAA Tournament appearances at Portland State and multiple national tournament runs at Southern Oregon. His history of program turnarounds—particularly within the RMAC at New Mexico Highlands—signals a foundational year focused on culture, competitiveness, and long-term growth.
 
3 > MSU Denver leans heavily on guard-driven offense, ranking second in the RMAC in free throws made per game (16.7) and fourth in three-point percentage (32.7%). The Roadrunners are aggressive attacking the rim, ranking second in the league in free-throw attempts, but ball security has been an issue, as they carry a -1.55 turnover margin. While they shoot a respectable 39.7% from the field, rebounding remains a concern, as MSUD ranks near the bottom of the RMAC with a -10.3 rebound margin.
 
4 > Senior guard Mikylah Espinosa is the engine, averaging 15.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, ranking among the RMAC leaders in assists and free throws made. Nevaeh Millard provides a spark off the bench at 11.6 points per game, while Jadyn Watts anchors the frontcourt with 11.4 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game. Brianna Sealy adds interior presence, shooting 53.3% from the floor and ranking among RMAC leaders in blocks.
 
5 > MSU Denver is coming off its best performance of the season, a 76–66 road win at Westminster, highlighted by Espinosa's season-high 32 points and the team's dominant showing at the free-throw line (27-of-31). The Roadrunners' bench accounted for 35 points, underscoring their depth—an area where MSUD ranks third nationally in bench points per game. With renewed confidence from earning their first road win, the Roadrunners look to translate that momentum into sustained RMAC success.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST MSUD
LCU leads the all-time series 5-2. The first meeting was on Nov.5, 2011 (game was an exhibition game for Metro State) with Metro defeating LCU 61-44 in a contest LCU was 0-of-15 from three-point range. LCU claimed a win in the following meeting 81-63 on Nov. 16, 2012 in Denver, as Metro was ranked No.7 nationally and LCU carried a No.1 ranking in the NAIA. The teams last played Nov. 9, 2019 in Pueblo, Colo., with LCU winning 70-60 for a third consecutive win over the Roadrunners. LCU is 1-1 all-time against MSUD in Denver, with the Roadrunners topping LCU 67-51 in their prior meeting in Auraria Events Center (Nov. 11, 2016). From 2015 – 2019, LCU, CSU Pueblo, Texas A&M-Commerce and MSU Denver opened the season in a rotating classic tournament.  
 
PRIOR MEETING VS. MSUD
PUEBLO, Colo. (Nov.9, 2019) – LCU 70 – MSUD 60
No. 1 Lubbock Christian University placed three players in double figures and used a decisive second quarter to defeat Metropolitan State of Denver, 70–60, in the final game of the Al Kaly Shrine Classic at Massari Arena.
 
Allie Schulte scored 18 points, Caitlyn Cunyus added 17, and Maddi Chitsey finished with 15, as the trio accounted for more than 70 percent of LCU's scoring. After an even opening quarter, the Lady Chaps took control in the second period, shooting 62.5 percent from the field and outscoring the Roadrunners 25–13 to build a 41–30 halftime lead. Schulte poured in 10 points in the quarter, while Cunyus added nine.
 
Cunyus continued her efficient play in the third quarter, helping LCU extend the margin to 57–44 entering the fourth. MSU Denver mounted a brief rally, trimming the deficit to six midway through the final period, but LCU responded with timely baskets and defensive stops to close out the win.
 
Juliana Robertson added 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists for LCU, while Chitsey chipped in eight rebounds and a career-high five blocks. Jaela Richardson led MSU Denver with 17 points and nine rebounds.