FRISCO, Texas (March 5, 2026) — Lubbock Christian University erased a 15-point deficit with less than eight minutes to beat St. Edward's University 79-77 on Thursday at the Comerica Center in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. 

It was an offensive putback from Antonio Pusateri that won the game for the Chaps, as Amondo Miller Jr. missed a jumper with 3.7 seconds left. Pusateri was there crashing the boards, and SEU buzzer-beater attempt drew back iron, sending LCU into the next round. 

Pusateri played a huge part in the Chaparral comeback, scoring 14 of his team-high 20 points in the final 20 minutes. LCU's largest deficit came at the 7:57 mark in the second half, when a three-pointer from Connor McManus put SEU ahead by 15.

On the ensuing possession, Lucas Mercandino hit a layup that sparked a 9-0 Lubbock Christian run. With less than four minutes left, Kedal Dow hit a three-pointer that brought the Chaps within five. He missed his next attempt from behind the arc, but Pusateri was there with a putback dunk. And he hit again at the 2:03 mark to tie the game. 

After another defensive stop, Miller hit a jumper to give LCU a lead for the first time in the second half at 77-75. SEU got a basket on the other end - their first points in more than four minutes - to re-tie the game. The Chaps missed their first attempt to retake the lead, and Miller's jumper missed before Pustari's tip-in went in to win the game. 

Although not quite as exciting, the first 20 minutes of the game were about as evenly matched as a basketball game can be. Both teams shot 44 percent, grabbed 19 rebounds and scored seven points off the other team's turnovers, leading to a 36-all score at the break. 

St. Edward's came out of the locker room hot though, scoring the first seven points of the second half. Blake Nielsen played a big part in their run, scoring 18 of his game-high 26 points in the final 20 minutes, but things flipped in the final eight minutes as the Chaps earned the come-from-behind win. 

Antonio Pusateri led the team with 20 points and collected 13 rebounds, showcasing a strong presence on the boards. Kendall Dow scored 19 points, converting five 3-pointers from nine attempts. Amondo Miller Jr. added 17 points and recorded eight rebounds, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. Lucas Mercandino also made an impact with 13 points and five assists, facilitating the offensive flow.

GAME NOTES: 
- Pusateri's double-double is his 21st of the year, which leads the Lone Star Conference and ranks second in the nation.
- The Chaps improve to 9-6 all time at the LSC Tournament. This is the fifth-straight season they have advanced to the semifinal round.
- This was the fifth time in seven trips to the LSC Tournament that the Chaps and Hilltoppers have met, and the third of those games that has been decided in the final five seconds. SEU won on a shot with two seconds left in 2021, and LCU hit a buzzer-beater in 2022.
- Three Chaps played the full 40 minutes, including Miller, Dow and Leo Nordberg.
- With five made three-pointers, Dow now has 88 on the season, which is the sixth-most by a Chap in a single season.

NEXT UP:
Lubbock Christian will play in the semifinals of the LSC Tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Comerica Center against the winner of the Eastern New Mexico/West Texas A&M matchup.