LUBBOCK, Texas (January 23, 2016) – No.1 Lubbock Christian University improved to a program best 17-0 start as they produced 28 points in the opening quarter en route to a 78-62 win over St. Edward’s University Saturday afternoon inside Rip Griffin Center.

LCU, coming off a dreadful 1-of-15 performance from long range Thursday, opened Saturday’s game with a three-pointer from Nicole Hampton on their opening possession. It led to a 17-2 run to open the game over the game’s opening 4:12. Tess Bruffey had seven points during the LCU run and finished with 13 points in the quarter. Kelsey Hoppel hit two three-pointers in the opening quarter to give them a 22-5 lead with 4:46 remaining in the quarter. St. Edward’s would come back with a trio of three-pointers by Lexi Fatheree to cut LCU’s lead to 26-16 before the quarter would end with a 28-16 LCU lead.

The Lady Chaps produced six field goals in the second quarter and four were from downtown, with Bailey Haist and Blair Taylor adding to a pair hit by Hoppel. LCU led as much as 18 points (38-20) in the quarter and took a 44-28 lead into the locker room at the break. LCU produced 16 field goals in the opening half, with nine inside the arc and seven behind.

Lubbock Christian put the game out of reach in the third quarter with a 12-2 run, with seven of LCU’s 12 points coming from the line. LCU was 7-of-14 (50%) from the field in the third quarter and added 11 points from the line (11-of-14) in the quarter for a 26-point quarter. Eight different Lady Chaps had at least a point in the quarter and LCU took a 70-46 lead into the final frame.

LCU went the final 8:10 without a field goal in the game. They had one field goal in the quarter and it was tallied by Allea Harris (her first two-point field goal of the season). LCU scored their final six points of the game from the free-throw line.

Nicole Hampton finished the game with six rebounds and her final rebound came late in the fourth quarter, which was her 912th rebound to become the program’s all-time career leader in the category. Hampton, who moved past Mamy N’Kolomoni (911 rebounds from 1998-02), finished the game with 15 points and eight assists to go with her six boards.

Hoppel led LCU with 16 points off a 5-of-7 three-point shooting performance. She also produced a game-high four steals. Hampton and Bruffey finished with 15 points. Shakera Barnes, who had a game-high 18 points, led SEU’s offense. Fatheree finished with 14 points, with 12 scored in the opening half. LCU out-scored the Hilltoppers 22-9 in points off turnovers and 22-7 in points from the free-throw line. SEU was whistled for 16 more fouls (26-10) than LCU.

LCU’s 17-0 start is their best start in program history, surpassing their 16-0 start from the 2012-2013 season. They also improve to 9-0 in Heartland Conference play. SEU fell to 6-11 overall and 4-5 in conference play.

The Lady Chaps return to the road Thursday and will head to Goodwell, Okla. to face Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Courtesy: LCU Sports Information Department