ODESSA, Texas (February 20, 2016) – Top-ranked Lubbock Christian University set a program conference single game scoring mark with 109 points, as Tess Bruffey led a foursome of Lady Chaparrals in double figures, with 21 points, and to a 109-56 win over Texas-Permian Basin Saturday afternoon at Falcon Dome.
LCU posted a season-high 43 field goals in the game, with assists granted to 31 of the field goals (sixth best single game mark in Heartland Conference history). The Lady Chaps were 61.4% (43/70) from the field, shooting over 60% for a second consecutive game. Inside the arch, LCU was 34-of-47 (72.3%) from the field and it led to a 62-14 scoring advantage in the paint.
There were four lead changes in the first quarter and LCU had a narrow 21-18 lead after the quarter. The game would get no closer starting the second quarter. Bruffey opened the quarter with a three-pointer and sparked an 8-0 LCU run. The Lady Chaps grabbed some separation with a 14-0 run during the quarter, turning a 31-24 lead into a 45-24 lead. An old fashioned three-point play by Allison Szabo was followed by three-pointers by Kelsey Hoppel and Nicole Hampton as part of the 14-0 run. LCU was 68.4% (13/19) from the field in the second quarter and it led to LCU outscoring UTPB 37-11 in the quarter for a 58-29 halftime lead.
UTPB was trailing by a 29-point deficit despite 50% (10/20) shooting in the first half. Most in part to LCU posting a 26-0 scoring advantage in points off turnovers in the first half.
The momentum continued into the third quarter for LCU. Haley Fowler tallied the first seven points of the third quarter and LCU quickly led 63-29 with 8:14 remaining. LCU had a 14-2 run carrying over from the first half and eventually built the lead to where they had a lead of at least 40 points over the game’s final 13:20.
LCU played 13 players and all 13 produced at least two points and had at least one field goal. Bruffey led all players with 21 points off a 9-for-11 shooting performance. Hoppel finished with 17 points, Szabo with 16 points and Fowler with 10 points. Szabo (6-of-7), Hoppel (6-of-11) and Bruffey (9-of-11) combined to shoot 72.4% from the field. Hampton produced a season high 10 assists in the win. Hoppel had five three-point attempts and moved into second on the program’s career three-point attempts list. With 566 career attempts, she moved ahead of Jordan Hampton, who had 565 attempts from 2005-09.
After shooting 50% from the field in the opening half, UTPB struggled in the second half. They were 7-of-27 from the field in the half and placed UTPB’s shooting mark at 36.2% for the game.
The Lady Chaparrals had 16 steals and forced 23 turnovers in the game, leading to a 37-4 advantage in points off turnovers. Hampton, one of eight Lady Chaps with a steal, led LCU with four steals.
The 109 points topped the prior high in a conference game of 108, which was set Feb. 8, 2014 against Oklahoma Christian. The 109 points also marked the seventh time LCU has ever reached triple digits in a conference game in program history (not just Heartland Conference play). It marked the 16th time LCU has reached at least 100 points in a game under Steve Gomez’s coaching tenure and it is the 25th time overall in program history.
The game was LCU’s final regular season road game of the season. They improved to 24-0 overall and 16-0 in Heartland Conference play. UTPB fell to 6-19 overall and 2-14 in conference play. The two teams are on pace for a postseason meeting at the Heartland Conference Tournament. LCU has two games before the tournament, returning home Thursday to host St. Mary’s at 6 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.
Courtesy: LCU Sports Information Department