Chaps Escape From Alva-catraz

ALVA, Okla. (February 2, 2012) - It was an ugly ending for Lubbock Christian University, in an important Sooner Athletic Conference contest Thursday night at Percefull Fieldhouse, but they were able to hold onto a 70-59 lead with 1:32 remaining and get out with a 76-73 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State University.  It marks the sixth consecutive game the Chaps have played in decided by five or fewer points.

LCU entered the game leading the NAIA in free-throw shooting and were coming off their best shooting performance of the season (19/20 for 95% Saturday against Southern Nazarene), but they would end up with their season low from the line.  The Chaps went the final 1:56 without a field goal and were put to the line to seal the win with an 11-point lead.  The Chaps, who went 6-of-14 from the line in the final half, went 6-of-7 from the line in the final 1:56.  NWOSU had 14 points in the final 1:31 and had a chance to tie the game with under 20 seconds remaining, but they couldn't make the free-throw on an and-one play.  As for LCU, they went a miserable 7-of-18 (38.9%) from the line.

The Chaps were also without Rashad Sample for the final 36 seconds after he fouled with 17 points and eight rebounds.  LCU was led by Douglas Williams, who was 4-of-7 from beyond the arch and led all scorers with 21 points.  The Chaps senior had his career best as a sophomore in Alva with 28 points two seasons ago.  LCU nailed 11 three-pointers with Tyler Kennedy (3) and Williams combining for seven of them.  Jeff Ayisire tallied 10 points for LCU and Ricky Roberts produced a career best 10 rebounds.  NWOSU received 16 points each from Daryl Glover and Jonathan Freemyer in the loss.

The win for LCU places them at 7-7 in the SAC and 11-10 overall, while NWOSU falls to 10-12 overal and 7-8 in conference.  It was a valuable win for LCU, as they are just the second SAC team to win in Alva this season.  Oklahoma Baptist and non-conference for Our Lady of the Lake are a pair of top-five teams in the NAIA and neither were able to get a win at NWOSU this season.  The Chaps can cap an important week with a win Saturday, as they face Oklahoma Christian University at 3 p.m.