By james art 
CANYON, Texas (Nov. 2, 2024) – Lubbock Christian University opens the 2024-25 regular season on Saturday morning in the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic by facing Kutztown. The game is set to begin at 11 a.m., marking the first of two games for the Lady Chaps this weekend at First United Bank Center. They will also compete against Black Hills State Sunday at 11 am
| D2CCA TIPOFF CLASSIC | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPPONENT | LOCATION | DAY | TIME (CT) | RADIO | STATISTICS |
| Kutztown | Canyon, Texas | Saturday, November 2 | 11 in the morning | listen | statistics |
UNOFFICIAL IN PROGRESS
Despite a strong defensive effort, the Lady Chaparrals fell to Rice University 69-49 in an exhibition game at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston on Tuesday. LCU stayed competitive through three quarters, but Rice’s depth and a 22-10 fourth quarter run ultimately sealed the victory for the Owls. Macie Maddox led the Lady Chaps with 15 points and three steals while Grace Foster added 10 points and six rebounds. LCU shot 50 percent in the third quarter but struggled outside, finishing just 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. Although LCU forced 14 turnovers, Rice capitalized with a 10-4 advantage in points off turnovers. LCU’s bench provided energy, contributing five points in the third quarter as the team worked to stay within single digits heading into the final period.
A LOOK BACK AT LAST SEASON
The Lady Chaparrals are coming off their eighth NCAA postseason qualifier, finishing atop the Lone Star Conference West Division with a 12-2 division record and earning a berth in the NCAA South Central Regional with a 22-10 overall record (17-6 in conference) in 2023-24. Their season was a mix of highs and lows, including the excitement of an eight-game winning streak and the challenge of an 0-5 record against nationally ranked teams or receiving votes during the contest. The season ended on an emotional note as they defeated rival West Texas A&M to end the regular season, but fell in the first rounds of both the Lone Star Conference Championships and the South Central Regional (vs. Colorado Mesa in Denton, Texas).
WHO COMES BACK
All but one player from last season’s roster returns for the Lady Chaps. Included in the mix are eight of nine players who have received at least one start and four of five starters since last season’s final game. LCU’s Lone Star Conference Player to Watch list is a two-time WBCA All-America selection and CSC Academic All-America honoree Grace Foster. Last season’s success saw her become a two-time all-region selection while also earning first-team All-Lone Star Conference and LSC Academic Player of the Year honors. The senior from Childress, Texas excelled in the classroom (has a 4.0 GPA in criminal justice) and on the hardwood, where she led LCU in scoring (16.4) and rebounding (6.7). Her 16.4 points per game ranked her third in the LSC and ninth in the region. Foster led the LSC in free throw percentage (88.9%, ninth nationally and third in the region) and also ranked in the LSC’s top 10 in field goal percentage (46.8%, sixth), eighth in rebounds in defense per game (6.1), seventh in minutes per game (33.8) and sixth in three-pointers per game (1.7). Foster has 1,310 career points and 618 career rebounds.
All Conference Selections Macie Maddox (11.5 points, 4.26 assists), Audrey Robertson (13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds) return for a fifth season. Robertson has 977 career points in 121 career games (68 career starts) and Maddox has 836 career points and 307 career assists in 112 career games (66 career starts).
Reese Shuman and Audrey Spurgin join Foster in returning for a senior season. Shuman appeared in 78 career games and had 350 rebounds and 344 career points. She had some big performances in the West Division last season, scoring 24 points against Eastern New Mexico and 18 rebounds against Cameron in career-best single-game outings. Spurgin appeared in 72 games during his career at LCU, making 29 appearances in each of the previous two seasons.
Marty McCoy and LSC Freshman Team selection Kennedy Chapel are returning who know each other in the starting line-up. McCoy started in all 13 games played, but suffered a season-ending injury. Chappell is the second-ever LSC All-Freshman Team selection, joining Foster (2021-22 season). One of five Lady Chaps to appear in all 31 games last season. She made 12 starts and averaged 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while ranking second on the team in conference steals with 24.
Additional return funds include Taylor Allen (13 games played last season), Deya Johnson (29 career games), Tia Johnson (13 games played last season), Kimber Matthews (five games played last season) and Taylor Thomas (29 games played last season with one start).
WHO THEY LOST
Sheila Stovall is the only player from last year’s team not returning. The guard was one of two members of the Lady Chaps (joining Macie Maddox) to start all 31 games last season. She averages 5.3 points per game and makes 90% (45/50) free throws.
NEW PERSONS
When it comes to new faces, it’s just a new face: Maddie Moyers. Despite being a new face, the freshman from Longmont, Colo. (Roosevelt High School) got valuable playing time on her international trip to Brazil in August, including a 14-point performance in the preseason debut against AGFEB Basket São José (Santa Catarina).
DOUBLE DUETS
The season will mark Steve Gomez“and 22n.d season leading the Lady Chaparrals. The Lady Chaps have recorded 522 wins and 152 losses under his leadership, which includes three NCAA Division II National Championships and an NCAA Division II record 113 home game winning streak.
OPENING OF THE SEASON
LCU is probably better known for how they finish the season than how they start the season. The Lady Chaps are 9-8 in their last 17 season openers. LCU opened last season with an 87-78 loss to No.17 Union (Tenn) at the Rip Griffon Center (Nov. 3, 2023). LCU is 29-16 all-time and 13-8 under the head coach Steve Gomez in openers.
FIVE THINGS ABOUT KU
1 > The Kutztown University women’s basketball team finished the 2023-2024 season with a balanced 15-15 overall record and a 12-10 mark in PSAC conference play, finishing third in the PSAC East and securing a postseason berth as the third seed. Although they faced challenges at home with a 7-8 record, they were strong on the road, going 8-5. Kutztown showed resilience with notable wins over Millersville and Mansfield, but fell short in tight games, including a season-ending loss to West Chester in the PSAC Tournament.
2 > The Kutztown University women’s basketball team is ranked third in the East Division of the 2024-25 PSAC preseason poll, as voted on by the conference’s head coaches. That placement reflects expectations for Kutztown to be competitive in the conference, building on last season’s third-place finish in the division.
3 > Kutztown made their last D2CCA tournament appearance in 2021 to open the 2021-22 season as they attended the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead in Billings, Montana. They went 1-2 at the event.
4 > Kutztown opened the 2024-25 season with a 69-56 loss to Adams State in the first game of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic. The Golden Bears (0-1) got off to a strong start, leading 19-12 after the first quarter and holding a 30-23 halftime advantage. Naya Pulliam led the team with 16 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Despite holding the lead in the third quarter, Kutztown faltered in the final period where they were outscored 28-11. Jess Aponik scored the game’s first basket and finished with nine points, while Abby Hearn contributed a team-best 12 rebounds. After a brief spurt by the Grizzlies to tie the game, Kutztown struggled to regain control, eventually succumbing to a 10-0 run by Adams State in the fourth quarter. Other notable performances included Layla Hurley and Bella Quinn with six points apiece, with Quinn adding three assists. Despite the loss, all nine Golden Bears who played contributed to the scoring.
5 > Janet Maloof begins her 30th season as head coach of the Kutztown University women’s basketball team in 2024-25. A four-time PSAC East Coach of the Year, she holds a career record of 445-372, making her the most the program’s all-time winningest coach. Maloof has led the Golden Bears to 13 postseason appearances over the past 15 years, including a program-record 26 wins in 2021-22. She ranks 26th among active NCAA Division II coaches in career wins and has helped develop numerous All-PSAC East athletes throughout her tenure.
THE SERIES AGAINST KU
Lubbock Christian and Kutztown faced each other for the first time on November 23, 2018 in the Thanksgiving Classic hosted by St. Mary’s in San Antonio, Texas. LCU emerged victorious in that opening game, winning 72-47.
PRELIMINARY MEETING AGAINST KU
San Antonio, TX (Nov. 23, 2018) – LCU 72 – KU 47
Lubbock Christian University dominated Kutztown University, winning 72-47 in its first game at St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Classic held at Bill Greehey Arena. The Lady Chaps, ranked No. 3/10, struggled initially, falling behind 6-0, but quickly found their rhythm. Ally Schulte led the way with 16 points, going 4 of 5 from three-point range, while Kailyn Davis added 15 points, including 9 in the second half.
In the first quarter, LCU came back with multiple scoring runs, including a 7-0 run and a 10-0 run that fueled a decisive 24-5 spurt, ending the period with a 20-11 lead. Schulte played a key role, scoring eight points in the quarter and helping LCU shoot an impressive 71.4 percent from the field.
By halftime, LCU extended its lead to 30-19 thanks to 60 percent shooting in the half, with Schulte scoring 13 points. The Lady Chaps were able to overcome 14 turnovers with solid defense, outscoring Kutztown by a 7-4 advantage in the period.
The second half showcased LCU’s defensive prowess as they held Kutztown to just five field goals in the middle quarters. After Kutztown opened the third with a 4-0 run, LCU quickly responded with a 20-2 scoring run, effectively sealing the game. Davis’ contributions were crucial during that stretch, helping LCU take a 52-29 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw both teams combine for their highest scoring, but LCU remained in control, outscoring Kutztown 20-18. Freshmen Laynee Burr and Channing Cunyus provided valuable support, helping the Lady Chaps to a 62-32 lead. LCU dominated on the boards, finishing with a 35-19 rebounding advantage and a 17-8 advantage in second-chance points. The game featured 40 total turnovers, with LCU capitalizing on 22 Kutztown turnovers, leading to a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Schulte had three steals, contributing to LCU’s defensive effort.
Emma Middleton added a career-high 10 points in 15 minutes, while Julianna Robertson led the team in plus/minus at +28. For Kutztown, Karen Lapkiewicz and Riley Derr led the way with 16 and 13 points, respectively. It marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams as LCU improved to 6-1 on the season.