LUBBOCK, Texas- LCU Press Release (January 21, 2016) – No.1/2 Lubbock Christian University shot 61% inside the arc and produced 11 blocks in a 70-34 Heartland Conference victory over University of Texas of the Permian Basin Thursday night inside Rip Griffin Center, placing their overall record at 16-0 to match their best start in program history.
 
Continuing a trend, LCU had a fast start. After UTPB took a 4-3 lead 1:45 into the first quarter, LCU responded with a 15-0 run sparked by Haley Fowler and Allison Szabo. Fowler registered seven points and Szabo had four points during the run, which gave LCU a 17-4 lead with 3:47 remaining in the opening quarter. LCU led 21-7 after the opening quarter and held the Falcons to four points in the second quarter. UTPB was held 2-of-15 (13.3%) from the field in the second quarter and LCU had a 40-11 lead at the break. The Falcons were 5-of-27 (18.5%) from the field in the first half, while LCU was 14-of-26 (53.8%).
 
LCU closed the third quarter with an 8-3 run over the final 4:53 of the quarter and then had a 9-2 run in the fourth quarter to build their lead to its largest (69-28, with 4:03 left in the game). Kellyn Schneider had eight points in the third quarter and Tess Bruffey had four of LCU’s 10 points in the fourth quarter.
 
Bruffey finished with 10 points and also had six rebounds, four assists and four blocks. She was the only starter to play more than 17 minutes. Szabo came off the bench to lead all players with a game-high 14 points. She was 5-of-7 from the field and also had six rebounds and a trio of blocks. Hampton (13 points) and Schneider (12 points) also finished in double figures. Schneider had six rebounds and four blocks, while Hampton had six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
 
LCU was 26-of-55 (47.3%) from the field in the game. They were 61% (25/41) inside the arc and a miserable 1-of-14 (7.1%) behind it. Hampton had LCU’s lone three-pointer. LCU did block 11 shots, forced 10 steals and 19 turnovers, while also holding UTPB to shoot 21.8% (3/21) from the field. UTPB’s Jau’nae Peevy was their only player in double figures in points (10 points).  LCU outscored UTPB 50-10 in the paint, 24-6 in points off turnovers and 12-0 in fast-break points. They also had a 45-30 rebound advantage.
 
The Lady Chaps improved to 8-0 in conference and 16-0 overall. Their 16-0 start matches a 16-0 start during the 2012-13 season. UTPB, who is now 0-16 all-time against LCU, fell to 0-8 in conference and 4-14 overall on the season.  The Lady Chaps will aim for a team record 17-0 start Saturday at 1 p.m. hosting St. Edward’s.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU endured another quick start, and their 15-0 run in the opening quarter allowed LCU to put the game in cruise control. LCU outscored UTPB 14-4 in the paint and 9-2 in points off turnovers in the quarter. Seven of UTPB’s 19 turnovers came in the opening quarter (four during the 19-0 run). UTPB endured three shot-clock violations in the opening quarter.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
LCU entered the game ranked fourth nationally in three-point shooting (41.2%), but LCU was 1-of-15 (7.1%) in the game from long range. Hampton made a three-pointer to open the second quarter and LCU went on to miss their final 11 attempts in the game. The last time LCU was held to one three-pointer was a 1-of-11 (9.1%) performance on Jan. 24, 2015 vs. St. Edward’s. The 7.1% from behind the arc was the team’s worst shooting mark from long distance since a 0% shooting mark on Nov.5, 2011 against Metro State.