FRISCO, Texas (March 7, 2025) – It took an extra five minutes of game time, but No. 2-seeded Lubbock Christian snuck by No. 7-seeded Eastern New Mexico 79-78 in overtime at Comerica Center Friday in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Championship.
 
LCU got a three-pointer from Ethan Duncan with 33 seconds left in regulation to take a two-point lead, but a layup from Austin Abrams 10 seconds later to force the extra period. It was Jaylen Thompson's free throws with 34 seconds left in the overtime period that gave the Chaps the lead.
 
There would be no buzzer-beater for ENMU this year, as LCU was able to make back-to-back defensive stops, including a block by Amondo Miller Jr., to seal the victory.
 
The Chaparrals (24-7) had four players score in double figures, led by Ethan Duncan and Najeeb Muhammad with 18 points apiece. Muhammad added in eight assists and two steals. Amondo Miller Jr. chipped in as well with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Sean Murphy scored 12
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian started very slowly, not making a field goal in the first 4:35 of the game. After pulling within 8-6, the Chaps went on an 8-0 run with 14:01 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Thompson, to take a 14-8 lead.
 
LCU led by as many as 11 in the half on a three-pointer by Najeeb Muhammad with 6:20 left in the opening period and ENMU cut it as close as four at the 2:38 mark. When the two teams went into the locker room, the Chaps led by seven.
 
Eastern New Mexico was scorching hot in the second half, shooting 63 percent from the field (17-27), including an 8-10 showing from Abrams. They took a lead at the 12:56 mark on an Abrams bucket and led by two with less than 10 minutes left before Lubbock Christian went on a 7-0 run, finished off by Sean Murphy's layup, to seize a 55-52 lead with 8:03 to go in the contest.
 
Cooper Jackson answered with a three-pointer for the Greyhounds to set up the tense final minutes and overtime period.
 
 
GAME NOTES
» With a three-pointer at the 16:07 mark in the second half, Chap forward Ty Caswell surpassed the 1000-point mark for his collegiate career.
» Duncan's 18 points give him 979 in his collegiate career, just 21 shy of the millennium mark.
» Najeeb Muhammad's eight assist bring him to 380 for his LCU career. He is three shy of tying Marcus Arrington for fifth all-time in LCU history.
» Lubbock Christian got a team-high eight rebounds from Amondo Miller Jr. It is his 15^th time this season leading the Chaps in boards.

This article was partially created using technology provided by Data Skrive.