HONOLULU, Hawaii (October 30, 2026) — Five consecutive three-pointers to open the season, a 15-point first-half lead and a career performance from
Mattie Dollar were not enough for Lubbock Christian University Friday, as Winona State erased the early deficit and delivered a go-ahead basket with 15 seconds remaining to stun the Lady Chaparrals 58-54 in the opening round of the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic inside Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Center.
The Lady Chaps (0-1) stormed out to a 22-9 first-quarter advantage behind perfect 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range, but Winona State (1-0) countered with a 20-7 second quarter to erase a deficit that reached 15 points. LCU regained a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter before the Warriors outscored the Lady Chaps 14-4 over the final 9:47 to complete the comeback.
The loss snapped LCU's six-game winning streak in D2CCA-sanctioned tournaments and marked the program's first defeat in five all-time games played in Hawaii. It was also the Lady Chaps' first season-opening loss since falling to No. 17 Union on Nov. 3, 2023, and their first season-opening defeat against an unranked opponent since 2016.
Dollar delivered a career-high 20 points off the bench, connecting on five field goals, including three three-pointers, while making seven of eight free throws. The sophomore, who made five three-pointers during her entire freshman campaign last season, recorded her third career double-figure scoring performance. Her 20 points were the most by an LCU player in a season opener since
Grace Foster scored 21 against Kutztown to open the 2024-25 season.
Returning All-American
Kennedy Chappell added 17 points and six rebounds, connecting on all four of her three-point attempts to establish a career single-game high for made three-pointers. The senior shot 6-of-10 overall, recording her 38th career game with at least 10 points.
Freshman
Kambrie Graser contributed seven points and two steals in her collegiate debut, with all seven points coming during the third quarter.
Kyndle Cunningham added eight points, two steals, two assists and a blocked shot.
Despite LCU's perimeter success, Winona State controlled the interior, outrebounding the Lady Chaps 43-26 and collecting 20 offensive rebounds. The Warriors converted those opportunities into a 21-5 advantage in second-chance points and outscored LCU 32-14 in the paint.
The Lady Chaps finished 9-of-21 (42.9%) from three-point range, while holding Winona State to just 2-of-13 (15.4%) from beyond the arc. LCU shot 36.2% (17-of-47) overall, compared to 34.4% (21-of-61) for the Warriors, and turned 13 Winona State turnovers into 22 points.
Foul trouble also proved costly for LCU, which was whistled for 25 personal fouls, matching its highest single-game total from last season. The Warriors attempted 29 free throws, 15 more than the Lady Chaps, although Winona State converted just 14 attempts (48.3%). LCU finished 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the charity stripe.
Winona State received 15 points apiece from Vivica Bretton and Megan Schuman. Bretton added seven rebounds and three assists, while Megan Johnson contributed nine points on 4-of-5 shooting. Myah Maull collected a game-high 11 rebounds and six points off the bench, and Sydney Cherney added eight rebounds and seven points.
LCU spent approximately 24 minutes with the lead, but the Lady Chaps struggled offensively down the stretch. After Chappell completed a three-point play to give LCU a 50-44 advantage with 9:47 remaining, the Lady Chaps managed only four points the rest of the game. LCU missed all six of its fourth-quarter three-point attempts and finished the period 2-of-12 (16.7%) from the field.
Dollar tied the contest at 54-54 with two free throws with 44 seconds remaining, but Bretton answered with a jumper at the 15-second mark. Cunningham's potential tying attempt missed with six seconds remaining, and Bretton added two free throws with three seconds left to seal the victory.
The contest, which marked the first meeting between the programs, featured six ties and six lead changes.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Lubbock Christian opened its season with an extraordinary display of perimeter shooting, connecting on all five of its three-point attempts while shooting 66.7% (6-of-9) overall to build a 22-9 lead. After Winona State opened the scoring with two free throws, Chappell tied the game with a jumper before Cunningham buried LCU's first three-pointer. Dollar followed with consecutive triples, including one at the 2:41 mark that pushed LCU's lead to 16-5. Chappell took over from there, draining a three-pointer with 1:50 remaining before delivering another as the quarter expired to give the Lady Chaps a 13-point advantage. Dollar scored 11 points in the opening period, while Chappell added eight. LCU held Winona State to 3-of-14 shooting (21.4%).
Second Quarter
Dollar extended LCU's advantage to a game-high 15 points with a layup 26 seconds into the second quarter, giving the Lady Chaps a 24-9 lead. However, Winona State responded with a 13-0 run, holding LCU scoreless for nearly seven minutes while trimming the deficit to 24-22 on a Sadie Jarmolowicz three-pointer with 3:12 remaining. Cunningham briefly halted the momentum with a three-point play at the 2:38 mark, and
Meg Meekins added a layup with 1:34 remaining to put LCU ahead 29-24. The Warriors answered with the final five points of the half, including a Jarmolowicz putback at the buzzer, sending the teams into halftime deadlocked at 29-29. Winona State outscored LCU 20-7 in the quarter and held the Lady Chaps to 3-of-13 shooting (23.1%).
Third Quarter
Winona State carried its momentum into the second half, opening a 37-32 advantage after a pair of Schuman baskets. Chappell kept the Lady Chaps within striking distance, connecting on three-pointers at the 8:23 and 6:44 marks before Dollar buried another triple with 4:34 remaining to give LCU a 40-39 lead. The teams exchanged baskets and leads before Graser made her presence felt. The freshman converted a layup with 5:22 remaining, added two free throws at the 3:11 mark and delivered the quarter's final blow with a three-pointer just two seconds before the buzzer. Her seven third-quarter points helped LCU outscore Winona State 18-15 in the period and reclaim a 47-44 advantage entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Chappell opened the final period with a layup and free throw to stretch LCU's lead to 50-44 with 9:47 remaining. Winona State responded with an 8-0 run, gradually erasing the deficit before Bretton's layup with 4:16 remaining gave the Warriors a 52-50 lead. Dollar answered with a layup at the 3:52 mark to tie the game, but the Lady Chaps would not make another field goal. Maull and Schuman each converted free throws to put the Warriors ahead 54-52, while Chappell fouled out with 1:05 remaining. Dollar stepped to the line with 44 seconds left and converted both attempts to tie the game at 54. Bretton answered with a jumper at the 15-second mark, and LCU's ensuing possession ended with a missed Cunningham jumper. After Winona State missed two free throws, Bretton secured the offensive rebound and converted two foul shots with three seconds remaining. Graser's final three-point attempt missed at the buzzer, sealing the four-point defeat.
Game Notes
» The loss dropped LCU to 31-17 all-time in season openers, dropping to 15-9 in season openers under head coach
Steve Gomez (11-9 over their last 20 openers). LCU last lost a season opener on Nov. 3, 2023 at home against No.17 Union. The last time LCU lost a season opener to an unranked team was Nov. 11, 2016, falling at Metro State in Denver, Colo.
» This is LCU's sixth consecutive season they have opened the season participating in a D2CCA Tip-Off event. They fall to 8-4 all-time in D2CCA events, with Friday's loss ending a six-game win streak in D2CCA sanctioned tournaments (2021 – Billings, Mont., 2022 – Kansas City, Mo., 2023 – Lubbock, Texas, 2024 – Canyon, Texas, 2025 – St. Joseph, Mo., 2026 - Honolulu).
» LCU, making their third trip all-time to Hawaii and Oahu, fell in Hawaii for the first time ever and they move to 4-1 all-time in games played in Hawaii.
» Returning All-American
Kennedy Chappell produced 15 points for LCU, marking the 38th game of her Lubbock Christian career scoring at least 10 points. Chappell was 4-of-4 in the game from three-point range, with the four three-pointers providing Chappell with a new career single-game high.
»
Mattie Dollar had a career outing with 20 points off five field goals (three from long distance, which was key considering she made five three-pointers all of last season as a freshman) and seven points from the free-throw line. It was her third career double-figure scoring performance of her LCU career. The 20 points in a season opener by dollar was the most in an opener for LCU since
Grace Foster opened the 2024-25 season with 21 against Kutztown.
» Freshman
Kambrie Graser made her collegiate debut and poured in seven points and also snagged a pair of steals.
» Officials were a little overzealous with the whistle Friday, as LCU was whistled for 25 fouls, which matches last season's season high (25 from Dec. 3, 2025 vs. UT Permian Basin).While LCU was 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the free-throw line, WSU had 15 more free-throw attempts in the game. They didn't necessarily take advantage of the opportunities, going 14-of-29 from the line in the game (48.3%). The 29 attempts also matched last season's high for and LCU opponent (Midwestern St. had 29 on Feb. 3, 2026). The 15 more free-throw attempts for an LCU opponent is the most since UT Tyler had a 26-6 advantage in attempts (over LCU) on Jan 19, 2023.
» LCU fell despite spending 24 minutes with the lead.
» The two programs were meeting for the first time. Additionally, LCU fell to a Minnesota based program for the first time in program history (2-1).
What's Next
The Lady Chaparrals will continue play in the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-Off Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31, facing Western Colorado in the consolation bracket. The Mountaineers fell to Hawaii Pacific in their opening-round contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Hawaii time (7:30 p.m. Central) inside Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Center on the Saint Louis School campus in Honolulu.
