LUBBOCK, Texas (December 3, 2025) – No.4 Lubbock Christian University opened Lone Star Conference play with a 65–59 win over UT Permian Basin on Wednesday at Rip Griffin Center, extending its home winning streak to 21 games and remaining unbeaten on the season. Despite shooting a season-low 33.3% from the field, the Lady Chaps (8–0, 1–0 LSC) leaned on timely defense, strong free-throw production and a balanced scoring effort to improve to 19–0 all-time at home against the Falcons.
 
Kennedy Chappell led LCU with 12 points, marking her seventh double-figure outing in eight games, while freshmen Meg Meekins (11 points) and Raegan Lee (10 points) continued their early-season impact. Martie McCoy posted one of the program's most versatile performances in years, recording 9 points, a career-high 9 rebounds and 7 assists—becoming just the fourth (different) Lady Chap in the NCAA era to reach those thresholds in a single game.
 
LCU finished with a season-best 23 made free throws on 30 attempts and moved to 20–3 all-time in conference openers under head coach Steve Gomez, including 6–1 since joining the LSC. The victory also pushed LCU's all-time record against UTPB to 32–1.
 
UT Permian Basin was led by Kenadi Rising, who turned in a strong double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 4–14 from the field and 5–6 at the line. Rising was the only Falcon to reach double figures in scoring, pacing a UTPB lineup that saw an additional four players finish with at least eight points—Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna (8 pts, 10 reb), Mikalah Buckley (9 pts) and Ja'Nya Thomas (9 pts, 3 reb). The Falcons outrebounded LCU 42–33 and generated 15 second-chance points behind their 16 offensive boards, but shot 36.0% from the floor and 60.7% at the stripe in the conference-opening loss.

How It Happened
The game began with the Chaparrals taking an early lead as Martie McCoy drained a three-pointer in the opening minute. Despite several turnovers, UTPB remained competitive, with Kenadi Rising scoring two consecutive jumpers to put them ahead temporarily. Megan Meekins tied the game with a three-pointer at 3:24, and the Chaps continued to build momentum with contributions from Maddie Moyers and Kennedy Chappell. The first quarter concluded with Lee hitting another three-pointer, assisted by McCoy, giving the Chaps a 22-13 lead over the Falcons. Lee's bucket was high in the frontcourt and converted off an inbounds with 1.5 seconds to provide LCU with seven different sources of points in the quarter.
 
UTPB narrowed the gap in the second quarter with a series of successful plays. Ja'Nya Thomas started the scoring with a jumper at 9:06, assisted by Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, bringing the score to 22-15. Jasmin Holt then connected on a three-pointer at 7:38, and Mikalah Buckley added another at 6:58, cutting LCU's lead to 22-21. The Chaparrals responded with sisters Tia Johnson and Deja Johnson combining to make four consecutive free throws, extending their lead to 26-21. Meg Meekins and Lee each contributed layups, with Lee's fast break basket at 1:09 pushing the lead to 32-25. Despite Buckley's late layup for the Falcons, the Chaps ended the quarter ahead, 32-27. Lee led LCU with four points in the frame and led them with seven points at the half.
 
The Lady Chaps extended their lead over Texas Permian Basin in the third quarter, outscoring them 21-15. Chappell contributed significantly, opening the quarter with two free throws at 9:44, and later knocking down a key three-pointer with 38 seconds remaining to push the home team's score to 53-42. Chappell's three-pointer ended a sequence of six consecutive points (from LCU) coming from the free-throw line. Lee added a crucial three-pointer at 6:59, assisted by Chappell, maintaining the momentum. The Falcons struggled to close the gap despite Rising's two successful three-pointers in quick succession. The Chaps capitalized on their defensive rebounds, limiting UTPB's scoring opportunities and securing their advantage heading into the final quarter. Chappell led LCU with seven points for LCU.
 
The Chaps secured a 65-59 victory over UTPB in a tightly contested final quarter. McCoy opened the scoring with a layup 14 seconds into the game, pushing the home team's lead to 55-42. Taylor Allen's three-pointer at 8:10 further extended their advantage to 58-42, which capped a 13-0 run. Despite UTPB's efforts, including a late three-pointer by Jonesha Neal with 13 seconds remaining, the Chaps maintained control. Meekins scored the final field goal for the Chaps with a layup at 17 seconds, sealing the win. Chappell led LCU in the second half with eight points.                                                                                  

Game Notes
» Martie McCoy delivered a near–triple-double performance, finishing with 9 points, 9 rebounds (career high) and 7 assists. She becomes just the fourth different Lady Chaps member in the NCAA era (since 2013–14) to post a 9+ pts / 9+ reb / 7+ ast stat line and only the 11th instance overall in that span. The last to do it was Grace Foster on Feb. 18, 2023 (11–11–7 vs. St. Mary's), while Nicole Hampton is responsible for eight of the program's 11 such performances.
 
» LCU had 23 points from the free-throw line on 30 attempts (76.7%). Both are season-high totals, as LCU last had 23 points from the line on Mar. 15 in Denton, Texas against West Texas A&M at the NCAA South Central Regional, and they last had 30 attempts on Nov. 16, 2024 (30 attempts) against Colo. Colorado Springs (UCCS).
 
» The Lady Chaps won despite a season-low 33.3% (17/51) shooting from the field. UTPB shot 36% from the field, marking the third time LCU has won when being out-shot from the field. The Lady Chaps are 3-0 when being out-shot this season. They were 5-3 last season when their opponents had better shooting from the field.
 
» Kennedy Chappell has racked up double figures offensively seven of the eight games this season after posting a team-leading 12 points Wednesday. She has 17 double-figure performances in her LCU career.
 
» Raegan Lee received an inbounds pass with 1.5 seconds left at the close of the first quarter and drained a three-pointer halfway between the three-point line and halfcourt, high in the frontcourt. It was part of a career-high 10-point performance and the freshman's first career double-figure outing of her collegiate career.
 
» Freshman Meg Meekins improved her streak of double-figure scoring to four consecutive games, finishing with 11 points.
 
» With the victory, LCU improved to 20-3 all-time in conference openers under head coach Steve Gomez (6-1 in Lone Star Conference openers). In addition, the win marked LCU's 21st consecutive home victory (3-0 at home this season).
 
» LCU is 19-0 all-time at home against UT Permian Basin, as the LCU win also improved LCU to 32-1 all-time (overall) against the Falcons.
  
Next Up
LCU remains home Saturday to complete their opening week of LSC play, as they welcome Angelo State for a 1 p.m. LSC tip inside Rip Griffin Center.