By james art 
CANYON, Texas (Nov. 3, 2024) – Four Lady Chaps hit several 3-pointers as Lubbock Christian University drained 12 from beyond the arc and got a remarkable 23-point performance from Grace Fostersecuring a 73-66 victory over Black Hills State in their final game of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at First United Bank Center. The win gives LCU a 2-0 start to the season, closing out its opening weekend on a high note.
The Lady Chaps had three players score in double figures, led by Foster, who had 23 points and eight rebounds. Audrey Robertson collected 17 points and Macie Maddox also chipped in with 12 points.
Lubbock Christian’s offense was very productive from three-point land, making 12 of 23 threes (52.2%). Foster (3-of-9) and Robertson (3-of-5) had the hot hand from the outside with three 3-pointers. LCU was 13-of-14 (92.9%) from the free throw line in the contest, with Taylor Thomasplaying in her hometown, hitting all six of her attempts.
The match was marked by disciplined play, with neither team recording a blocked shot and a total of five steals and 20 turnovers.
How it happened
After jumping out to a 6-5 advantage, Lubbock Christian went on an 8-0 run with 6:14 left in the first quarter to extend its lead to 14-5. Lubbock Christian, which led 23-9 late in the quarter, relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 23 points. Robertson (6), Maddox (5) and Thomas (5) balanced the front office and combined for 16 points in the first quarter.
Lubbock Christian continued its strong three-point shooting in the second quarter, sinking three more shots from beyond the arc. The final 3-pointer of the half proved decisive as BHSU’s Maureen Ulrich hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the second coming with 26 seconds left to cut LCU’s lead to 39-28. On the next possession, Foster missed a field goal attempt in the final five seconds, but Audrey Spurgin caught the rebound and passed it to Maddox, who banked in a three-pointer to give LCU a 42-28 halftime lead. Maddox closed out the first and second quarters with incredible field goals, finishing the half with 10 points along with Robertson and Foster. LCU shot an impressive 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from beyond the arc and 50 percent (14-of-28) overall in the first half.
After halftime, BHSU went on a 9-2 run and later answered a Robertson 3-pointer with a 5-0 run to cut LCU’s lead to 51-44 with 3:20 left in the quarter. In the last three minutes, Kennedy Chapel and BHSU’s Brady Schlabs traded 3-pointers to give LCU a 54-47 lead heading into the final quarter.
BHSU cut LCU’s lead to four on three occasions in the fourth quarter, but LCU had an answer each time to prevent the Yellow Jackets from seizing momentum. Foster was key for LCU in leading the way, going 3-of-4 from the field for nine points (she finished with 13 points in the half). LCU was 8-of-8 from the free throw line (Thomas was 4-of-4) as their final eight points of the game (in the final 46 seconds) came from the line.
Game notes
» The Lady Chaps made over half of their attempts from three-point range, knocking down 12 of 23 shots. The 12 treys are their highest single-game total since making 12 on January 22, 2022 against St. Mary’s.
» The Lady Chaps never trailed in the game, posting back-to-back games in which LCU did not trail. A feat accomplished once last season.
» Grace Foster led the Lady Chaps with a game-high 23 points. Foster averaged 22 points in the two weekend contests.
» The last time LCU played a game in which neither team recorded a block was March 2, 2023 against Texas A&M-Kingsville at the LSC Championships in Frisco.
» LCU improved to 6-3 all-time in D2CCA-sanctioned tournaments.
» The Lady Chaps are 2-0 in neutral site contests with the pair of wins. LCU, 1-2 in neutral-site play last season, has not had a winning record in neutral-site contests since going 6-2 in 2021-22.
» Black Hills State was led by Maureen Ulrich, who had 19 points, and Cala Bertram, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds to complete a double-double.
» LCU improved to 2-0 all-time against Black Hills State. Both matches were neutral contests.
Next
LCU heads to Tyler, Texas on Friday for the South Central Region Challenge where they will face Colorado State Pueblo (Friday – 3:00 p.m.) and Colorado Christian (Saturday – 2:00 p.m.).