DALLAS, Texas (March 14, 2026) — Lubbock Christian University saw its 2025-26 campaign come to a close on Saturday, falling 67-64 to Black Hills State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. 

The game was deadlocked at halftime, with both teams tied at 27, and came down to the final minute before it was decided, as there were seven lead changes and six ties. The Chaps dominated the paint with 42 points, but the Yellowjackets capitalized on free throws, converting 14 of 19 attempts to edge out the victory.

Lubbock Christian finishes a record of 27-6. Black Hills St. stands at 28-4 overall and advances to the second round of the South Central Regional to play the winner of Eastern New Mexico and St. Mary's. 

The game opened with the Chaps establishing an early lead through strong inside scoring, accumulating 14 points in the paint. Lucas Mercandino contributed significantly, hitting a pair of three-pointers and leading the team with 12 points through the first 20 minutes. 

LCU was unable to pull away though, and BHSU was able to get back into the game when Amondo Miller Jr. was forced to sit for the final 10 minutes of the first half with three fouls. It was then that the Yellowjackets took their first lead of the game, pulling ahead by one at the 8:27 mark.

The Chaps weathered the storm though and slowed down the Black Hills offense enough to go into the locker room all knotted up at 27. 

Lubbock Christian opened the second half with a strong 6-0 run, highlighted by Miller's layup and jumper, and a fast-break layup from Antonio Pusateri assisted by Leo Nordberg, giving them a brief lead. Despite this momentum, BHSU responded with consecutive 3-pointers from Tristan Hurdle to tie the game at 33-33.

As the half progressed, the Chaps kept the game close with effective scoring in the paint, led by Miller's 16. The Yellowjackets led by as many as six with just under six minutes remaining, but back-to-back Chap buckets kept them within reach. 

Miller hit a three-pointer from the corner with just under two minutes left - LCU's first and only three of the half - that pulled them within one. They tied it at 62 on a free throw from Kendall Dow, but BHSU responded with a jumper and made free throws in the final 30 seconds to ice the game.

Amondo Miller Jr. scored 26 points, making 12 of 18 field goal attempts and contributing eight rebounds. Antonio Pusateri recorded a double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds, including 10 defensive boards. Lucas Mercandino added 13 points, sank two 3-pointers, and blocked two shots. Leo Nordberg facilitated the offense with eight assists and collected two steals.

GAME NOTES:
- Finishing with a game-high 26 points, Miller ended the season with an average of 21.0 points per game, breaking the Chaparrals' single season record of 20.6 points per game from Tony Chennault in the 1985-86 season. He also finished the season with 672 points, which is the LCU single-season record, surpassing the 640 by Chennault.
- Pusateri's 18 rebounds are tied for his second-most in a game this season. He finishes the season with 363 rebounds, which is the third-most by a Chaps player.
- The Chaparrals finish the season with 27 wins, matching the program record set in 2022.
- Pusateri also finished the season with 251 made field goals, the third-most in a single season by a Chaparrals player. Miller's 248 made field goals are the fifth-most.
- The Chaparrals are now 4-8 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.