LCU Women Roll on Senior Night

LUBBOCK, Texas (February 21, 2013) - No.5 Lubbock Christian University used a 51-15 scoring advantage in the first half to set sail toward an 89-62 win over University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma Thursday night on Senior Night and the regular season finale inside Rip Griffin Center. It was LCU's final Sooner Athletic Conference regular season contest.

The Lady Chaps rolled in the first half, nailing their first five shot attempts en route to a 61.8% (21/34) shooting percentage in the opening half. A 20-0 run sparked by a three-pointer from Nicole Hampton provided LCU a 26-7 lead with 10:53 remaining in the first half and it gave LCU the breathing room they needed. They also had an 18-0 run late in the half to take a 51-12 lead before USAO nailed a three-pointer to cut the LCU lead at 51-15 hitting the break. LCU out-rebounded USAO 23-7 in the first half, with LCU having more offensive rebounds (9) than USAO team rebounds (7). The Lady Chaps also received point production from nine different players in the half. LCU out-scored USAO 26-4 in the paint and 24-5 in points-off-turnovers in the half.

LCU built the lead to 43 points (64-21 with 15:37 remaining), but USAO showed some fight and did not pack it in. The Drovers nailed seven three-pointers in the second half and forced LCU into 10 second-half turnovers. The deficit was too much to overcome for the Drovers, as the closest they would cut the deficit was at 26 points (87-61 with 52 seconds remaining).

Lubbock Christian went to their reserves throughout much of the contest and none of their starters played more than 22 minutes. Hampton led all players with 21 points and was one of four Lady Chaps in double-figures. They also received 12 points each from Haley Burton, Courtney Wilson and Haley Fowler. Twelve different Lady Chaps contributed into the scoring, and surprisingly the only Lady Chap without a point was Emily Atkins, who only attempted two shots while co-leading LCU with four assists. Freshman Ashlyn Hargraves, entering the game 0-of-10 from three-point range, was 2-for-3 from beyond the arc for LCU and posted a career-high six points. USAO, who had 15 steals, was led by an 11-point outing from Celeste Smith. LCU was 59.0% (36/61) from the field in the game and 9-for-20 (45%) from three-point range. USAO finished 10-for-23 (41.7%) from long range.

The contest was senior night for four LCU members, as Kelsey Canavan, Amanda Perry, Shaley Shipman and Courtney Wilson each played their final home game as members of the Lady Chaps. The game lasted only an hour and 15 minutes and it was timeout free. It may be the quickest game the locals will ever see from here on out inside the Rip Griffin Center. The next Lady Chaps home game will be as members of the Heartland Conference and NCAA Div. II rules require media timeouts.

The win places LCU with a three-game win streak heading into the SAC Tournament. They conclude the regular season with a 26-3 record overall and a 13-3 mark in conference play. USAO falls to 10-17 overall and 1-14 in the SAC. LCU's next game will be Thursday at the SAC Tournament in Shawnee, Okla., where they will be either the No.2 or No.3 seed based on the result of Saturday's game between Rogers State and Oklahoma City.