LUBBOCK, Texas (March 19, 2019) – Maddi Chitsey posted a double-double (26 points and 10 rebounds) and Olivia Robertson contributed 22 points, as their 48 combined points helped No.24/25 Lubbock Christian University claim an Elite Eight Tournament berth with a 76-70 victory over No.4-seed Angelo State Tuesday night inside an energetic Rip Griffin Center. LCU became the third program in NCAA Division II history to claim a 65th consecutive home victory, and they advance to the Elite Eight Tournament as a No.5-seed to face No,4-seed North Georgia Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (Central) at Ohio Dominican University’s Alumni Hall in Columbus, Ohio.
The opening half was game of scoring surges. The Lady Chaps connected on their first four field goal attempts, with three-pointers by Allie Schulte and Caitlyn Cunyus in the mix, leading to a 12-0 run to open the game. Schulte ended up with seven points in the quarter and LCU led 20-9 through the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Belles overcame the 12-point deficit in the second quarter by outscoring LCU 27-13 in the quarter and closing the half on a 9-0 run to take a 36-33 lead into the locker room. Robertson (8 points) and Chitsey (5 points) were the only Lady Chaps to score in the second quarter, while the Belles received production from six different players in the quarter, including a combined 16 points from Marquita Daniels (9 points) and De’Anira Moore (7 points).
ASU took advantage of an 11-4 foul advantage with a 10-2 scoring advantage from the free-throw line in the first half. Each team had a player in double figures in the first half, as Robertson led LCU with 12 points and Moore produced 10 in the half for ASU.
LCU knocked down four of their first five shot attempts of the third quarter, and a 20-7 run to start the quarter allowed LCU to take a 53-43 lead. Maddi Chitsey had 10 points in the quarter and LCU lead 56-48 with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter before ASU went on a run to close the third quarter.
The Belles cut LCU’s lead to 56-54 a minute into the fourth quarter. LCU responded with an 11-0 run, start by a trio of Bobbi Chitsey free-throws and a long distance three-pointer from Maddi Chitsey. ASU was not to be counted out, as with 38 seconds remaining, Dezirae Hampton hit a three-pointer to cut LCU’s lead to 73-70. LCU did not have a field goal in the final 2:33 of the game, but free-throws allowed them to hold on. ASU HAD A 6-of-8 shooting sequence going until closing out the game missing their final three shot attempts.
Angelo was led by All-Tournament Team selection Marquita Daniels in the loss. She produced five steals in the game and posted a game-high 27 points. They also received 16 points from Moore and 11 points from Maria Delgado. The Belles have had their season end in Lubbock three of the past four seasons and this season came to an end with a 26-6 record.
LCU was led by Maddi Chitsey, who was two points off a career-high in scoring, and she completed her second double-double of the season. Robertson posted her third consecutive game of at least 20 points with her 22 points (second time this season she has had such a sequence). All of LCU’s scoring came from their five starters, as for the first time this season, LCU did not have any scoring from their bench.
Robertson was named the Region Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21.7 points in the trio of games. Maddi Chitsey joined her on the All-Tournament Team with 18.7 points per game.
The Lady Chaps moved into having the third longest win streak in NCAA Division II history. Their home record this season comes to a close at 15-0, while their overall record improves to 29-5.
TURNING POINT
Trailing 73-70 with thirty seconds remaining, ASU’s De’Anira Moore made an inside move and backed in on Juliana Robertson resulting in an offensive foul. LCU obtained the possession up three, inbounding and drawing a foul. LCU’s final five points of the game came from the free-throw line.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
LCU matched a season-low in assists with eight for a second consecutive game. The last time LCU produced less than 10 assists in consecutive games was during December of 2011.
WHAT’S NEXT
LCU clinched their third berth to the Elite Eight Tournament. This season’s tournament is in Columbus, Ohio at Ohio Dominican University’s Alumni Hall. They head to the tournament as the No.5-seed and will face No.4-seed Northern Georgia (30-4) Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (Central).
Courtesy of LCU Athletics Communications Department