DENTON, Texas (March 6, 2025) – Out of 11 seasons of NCAA postseason eligibility, the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals are appearing in their 10^th NCAA postseason appearance Friday, as the No.6-seeded Lady Chaparrals open the quarterfinals of the NCAA South Central Regional inside Texas Woman's Kitty Magee Arena with a noon tip against No.3 nationally ranked and No.3-seeded Colorado Mesa Mavericks, who are the automatic qualifiers out of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
 

NCAA DIV. II WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
OPPONENT	LOCATION	DAY	TIME (CT)	WATCH	STATS
Colorado Mesa	Denton, Texas	Fri. Mar. 13	12 p.m.	Video	Stats

    
SCENARIOS
IF LCU WINS: If the Lady Chaps defeats CMU, they will improve to 24-7 on the season and will advance to the tournament Semifinals game to face either No.2-seed No.6 West Texas A&M or No.7-seed UT Tyler Saturday at 5 p.m. in Denton.
 
IF LCU LOSES: If the Lady Chaps fall to the Mavs, their record will drop to 23-8, they will be eliminated from the tournament and they will suffer their fourth NCAA regional loss in program history and will have their all-time NCAA postseason record move to 27-6 all-time.
 
FALLING IN FRISCO
Fifth-seeded Eastern New Mexico rallied late to defeat fourth-seeded LCU 62–59 in overtime Friday in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Women's Basketball Championship. LCU led most of the game, including a 45–39 edge entering the fourth quarter, but ENMU forced overtime on a late three-pointer. Kennedy Chappell led the Lady Chaps with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Martie McCoy added 14 points with four three-pointers. Freshman Meg Meekins scored 12 points in the first quarter before exiting in the third. ENMU closed the game on a 6–0 run in overtime as LCU committed a season-high 25 turnovers.
 
RECOGNITION
Lubbock Christian placed three players among the Lone Star Conference's top women's basketball honorees at the LSC Awards Social in Frisco. Junior guard Kennedy Chappell earned All-LSC First Team, All-Defensive Team and All-Academic Team honors after leading the Lady Chaps in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Freshman guard Meg Meekins was named LSC Freshman of the Year (Lady Chap first-ever recipient) and All-LSC Second Team after averaging 12.6 points and leading the team with 50 three-pointers in the regular season. Senior Martie McCoy received All-Academic Team recognition.
 
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE
Kennedy Chappell earned First Team All-South Central Region honors from D2CCA, extending Lubbock Christian Lady Chaparrals' streak of producing an all-region selection every season since 2015-16 (every season they have been eligible). Chappell leads LCU in scoring (15.4), rebounding (6.3), assists (104) and steals (55) while ranking sixth in the Lone Star Conference in scoring. She also earned First Team All-LSC, All-Defensive and All-Academic honors.
 
CHAP-TIVATING STATS: 5 LADY CHAP FACTS
1 > 23-Win Season
Lubbock Christian enters NCAA postseason play with a 23-7 overall record after finishing the regular season 15-5 in the Lone Star Conference to tie for fourth in the standings. The Lady Chaps were dominant at Rip Griffin Center, posting an 11-1 home record while going 9-5 on the road and 3-1 at neutral sites. LCU carries a +9.6 scoring margin into regional play and has relied on a defense allowing just 57.9 points per game, which ranks No. 39 nationally and fourth in the LSC.
 
2 > Elite From Beyond the Arc
Perimeter shooting continues to be a defining strength for the Lady Chaps. Lubbock Christian leads the Lone Star Conference and ranks No. 17 nationally in three-point percentage at .347. The Lady Chaps average 7.2 made three-pointers per game, which ranks fourth in the LSC and No. 58 nationally. Freshman Meg Meekins leads the team with 51 three-pointers, ranking fourth in the conference, while Maddie Moyers (.397), Taylor Allen (.392) and Raegan Lee (.375) also provide efficiency from long range.
 
3 > Taking Care of the Basketball
Ball security remains one of LCU's biggest strengths. The Lady Chaps commit just 13.9 turnovers per game, the fewest in the Lone Star Conference and No. 39 nationally. LCU also ranks No. 51 nationally with a 0.98 assist-to-turnover ratio. Senior Martie McCoy leads the conference with a 2.21 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranks No. 13 nationally, while Kennedy Chappell leads the team with 104 assists and ranks second in the LSC in total assists.
 
4 > Defense That Limits Opponents
LCU has paired efficient offense with consistent defense throughout the season. The Lady Chaps allow only 57.9 points per game, ranking No. 39 nationally and fourth in the Lone Star Conference. Opponents shoot just 36.8 percent from the field, placing LCU No. 53 nationally, while teams connect on only 29.8 percent from three-point range. That defensive effort has helped produce LCU's +9.6 scoring margin this season.
 
5 > Chappell Leads Balanced Attack
Junior guard Kennedy Chappell continues to anchor the Lady Chaps' offense, averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, ranking second in the Lone Star Conference. She also leads the LSC in free throws made (143) and attempts (185) while pacing LCU with 104 assists and adding 6.3 rebounds and 55 steals. Freshman Meg Meekins adds 12.6 points per game and leads the team with 51 three-pointers, while Martie McCoy (7.5 ppg) and Tia Johnson (7.3 ppg) provide additional balance in LCU's scoring lineup.
 
FREEBIRD
LCU women's basketball head coach Steve Gomez has been named head coach of the 2026 USA Basketball Women's U17 National Team, USA Basketball announced Tuesday.
Gomez will lead the United States at the 2026 FIBA U17 Women's World Cup (July 11-19) in Brno, Czechia, after guiding the USA U16 team to gold at the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup. He previously served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball in 2017 and 2018.
 
Now in his 23rd season at LCU, Gomez owns a 575-163 record and has led the Lady Chaps to three NCAA Division II national championships (2016, 2019, 2021). The U.S. has won six of seven FIBA U17 World Cups since the event began in 2010.
 
The team will hold trials and training camp prior to international competition this summer.
 
CONFERENCE CONVERSATION
Lubbock Christian posted a 15–5 record in Lone Star Conference play, going 9–1 at home and 6–4 on the road, while outscoring league opponents 66.9–56.6 for a +10.3 scoring margin. The Lady Chaps shot 43.9% from the field and 32.7% from three-point range, while holding opponents to 35.4% shooting. LCU averaged 34.3 rebounds and 12.8 assists per game and maintained a +1.2 turnover margin. Kennedy Chappell led the team with 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, adding 55 assists and 40 steals. Meg Meekins contributed 11.4 points per game with 23 three-pointers, while Tia Johnson averaged 8.4 points and shot 42.1% from three-point range. Martie McCoy added 7.0 points and 55 assists, helping guide the offense as LCU produced 256 assists in conference action.

EYE-OPENING
The 2025-26 season marks LCU's 13th since leaving the NAIA and LCU is 342-69 record (83.2%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 27-5 all-time (78.1%). They are 24-1 over a two-season span at home and are 174-10 (94.6%) since becoming full-time NCAA members (2015-16 season being the first season) at home.
 
TOURNEY TALK
LCU boasts a 27-5 all-time record in NCAA postseason play, all since becoming eligible in 2015-16, including a 18-3 mark in South Central Regional competition. As the Lady Chaps begin their 10th NCAA postseason appearance Friday, it will also mark their 15th regional game played away from home. LCU previously competed in the first two rounds of the 2018-19 South Central Regional in Grand Junction, Colo., followed by regional appearances in Canyon, Texas (2020-21, 2021-22), San Angelo, Texas (2022-23), and Denton (2023-24, 2025-26). In those games, LCU holds an 11-3 record, highlighted by a 56-53 win at tournament host Colorado Mesa in 2019 and their regional title win over 2025 tournament host Texas Woman's (2-1 in true road games, 9-2 at neutral sites).
 
Lubbock Christian is shooting 46.7% all-time in NCAA South Central Regional games, while holding opponents to a 38.4% shooting mark from the field and a 25.3% shooting woe from long range. Former Lady Chaps Maddi Chitsey is LCU's all-time leading scorer in regional action (in average scoring), averaging 17.2 points per game (she played in six career NCAA regional contests) and compiling 103 points. Grace Foster is LCU's career leader in overall points scored in regional play with 158 career points in 11 career games. Allie Schulte is LCU's all-time leader in NCAA postseason scoring with 205 career points (in 18 games, which is the highest amount of postseason games played by a Lady Chap). Juliana Robertson is their all-time leader in rebounds in regional contests with 61 (6.8 average).
 
Kennedy Chappell, a junior from Heath, Texas, is LCU's active leader in postseason scoring with 26 points and an average 6.5 points per game. A member of the 2025 All-Tournament Team, Chappell is 4-of-10 (.40) from three-point range in four career NCAA postseason games.
 
LCU's ALL-TIME REGIONALS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
 
2015-2016
Tess Bruffey (MOP)
Nicole Hampton
Haley Fowler
 
2017-2018
Tess Bruffey (MOP)
Maddi Chitsey
 
2018-2019
Olivia Robertson (MOP)
Maddi Chitsey
 
2020-2021
Emma Middleton (MOP)
Allie Schulte
Juliana Robertson
 
2021-2022
Ashton Duncan
Juliana Robertson
 
2022-2023
Grace Foster
Maci Maddox
 
2024-2025
Maci Maddox (MOP)
Grace Foster
Kennedy Chappell
 
PUT IT IN NEUTRAL
Lubbock Christian has posted a 3–1 record in neutral-site games, while outscoring opponents 67.5–61.8 for a +5.8 scoring margin. The Lady Chaps are shooting 42.1% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range, while converting 76.7% at the free-throw line in neutral-site contests. LCU is averaging 15.5 assists per game and forcing 19.0 turnovers per contest, producing a +3.5 turnover margin.
 
Kennedy Chappell leads the team with 17.8 points per game in neutral-site play, adding 22 assists and seven steals while shooting 54.3% from the field. Meg Meekins follows with 13.8 points per game and a team-high nine three-pointers, shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc. Kimber Mathews provides a scoring spark off the bench with 10.7 points per game, shooting 59.1% from the field, while Martie McCoy directs the offense with 15 assists across the four neutral-floor games.
 
FIVE FACTS ABOUT CMU 
1 > Colorado Mesa Mavericks women's basketball enters the NCAA South Central Regional with one of the most impressive résumés in the country, carrying a 33–1 record and a 30-game winning streak into postseason play. The Mavericks went 20–0 in the RMAC regular season, becoming the first team in 30 years to complete an undefeated conference slate. Their only loss came on the road against West Texas A&M Buffaloes women's basketball in Canyon, Texas. Since then, Colorado Mesa has dominated opponents with a +24.6 scoring margin (third nationally) and has not won a game by single digits in its last 19 contests.
 
2 > Senior forward Olivia Reed Thyne is one of the most dominant players in Division II, averaging 22.1 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while shooting 62.8% from the field. The D2CCA South Central Region Most Valuable Player has recorded 19 double-doubles this season and ranks among the national leaders in total points and rebounds. Guard Mason Rowland provides a dynamic perimeter threat with 18.3 points per game, 73 made three-pointers, and 86.3% free-throw shooting, while senior guard Mykaela Moore orchestrates the offense with 3.4 assists per game and one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the RMAC.
 
3 > Colorado Mesa's balance is reflected in its national statistical rankings. The Mavericks average 76.4 points per game while allowing just 51.8, ranking sixth nationally in scoring defense. Opponents shoot only 33.2% from the field, one of the top marks in Division II, while the Mavericks shoot 44.3% themselves. They also rank fifth nationally in assists per game (17.9) and lead the RMAC in assist-to-turnover ratio, reflecting an efficient and disciplined offensive attack.
 
4 > Head coach Taylor Wagner has built the Mavericks into a perennial contender during his 14 seasons at the helm. Wagner is guiding Colorado Mesa to their 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, including three straight, and owns more than 300 career wins with the program. Under his leadership, the Mavericks have posted three 30-win seasons, highlighted by an Elite Eight run in 2013 and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2014.
 
5 > Colorado Mesa has steadily built its postseason résumé over the years. The Mavericks are making their 10th NCAA Tournament appearance and hold a 7–8 record in NCAA Division II Tournament play. Their deepest run came in 2013, when they captured the South Central Regional title and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in San Antonio. This year's regional marks their third consecutive appearance.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST CMU
The Lady Chaps and Mavs have only met three previous times, meeting in Gunnison, Colo. on Nov. 21, 2003 (neutral site contest), in Grand Junction, Colo. at the 2019 NCAA Division II South Central Regional (Mar. 16, 2023) and in Denton two seasons ago (Mar. 15, 2024) in the quarterfinals of the 2024 NCAA Division II South Central Regional. LCU was victorious in the first two meetings. In 2003, LCU won 74-73 and the contest was Coach Steve Gomez's third all-time win, as the 23^rd-year head coach was in his first season coaching the Lady Chaps. In 2019, LCU closed the game on a 7-0 run and won 56-53 at Brownson Arena during a split-site regional (the win allowed LCU to host the regional final against Angelo State). The lone loss came in their prior meeting, as CMU returned the favor from their 2019 loss by closing the game on a 7-0 run to top the Lady Chaps 68-61 and advance to the semifinals.
 
PRIOR MEETING VS. CMU
DENTON, Texas (Mar. 15, 2024) – LCU 68 – MSU 61  
A late run by Colorado Mesa Mavericks women's basketball denied Lubbock Christian Lady Chaparrals women's basketball an upset bid, as the Mavericks closed the game on a 7–0 run in the final 52 seconds to secure a 68–61 victory in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional quarterfinals in Denton, Texas.
 
LCU rallied from a 61–52 deficit, using a 9–0 run capped by a three-pointer from Grace Foster to tie the game 61–61 with 1:09 remaining, but Colorado Mesa answered with the final seven points to seal the win.
 
Foster led the Lady Chaps with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Audrey Robertson and Maci Maddox each added 13 points, with Maddox also recording five assists. LCU took care of the basketball throughout the contest, committing only five turnovers while forcing 18 from Colorado Mesa, which led to a 15–7 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Despite the defensive effort, LCU was unable to finish the comeback as its season ended at 21–10. The loss marked the Lady Chaps' first defeat against Colorado Mesa, moving their all-time series record to 2–1 in favor of LCU at the time.