What a Send-off!

LUBBOCK, Texas (February 26, 2011) – For a second consecutive Saturday afternoon, Lubbock Christian University defeated the No.25 ranked team in the NAIA.  This time, Rogers State University was the victim, as LCU received a solid 25-point outing from Kenny Hewitt to lead the Chaparrals past RSU 74-68 Saturday afternoon to close out the regular season.  The game also marked the final home game for Chap head coach John Copeland, who is resigning after 31 seasons at the helm of the Chaps basketball program.

Hewitt was 7-of-8 from the field and went 10-for-11 from the free-throw line in the game.  The senior, one of four Chaps playing their final home game, had 17 points in the opening half off 5-for-5 shooting.  Late in the first half, LCU went on a 14-2 run.  Involved in the run was a double-technical foul called on Deveric Taylor, which resulted in six free-throws by Hewitt for a 43-16 lead with 2:30 left in the half.    LCU used a 66.7% (16/24) field goal shooting mark and a 63.6% (7/11) three-point shooting performance in the first half to take a 45-32 halftime lead. 

Chris Francis hit back-to-back three-pointers for RSU as part of a 7-2 run to start the second half.  The Hillcats would outscore LCU 18-9 over the opening 7:21 of the second half to cut LCU’s lead to 54-50.  On three occasions in the final 12 minutes, RSU got within two points of LCU.  The Chaps had an answer each time, including Clay Roberts, who hit a baseline jumper with 22 seconds remaining.

LCU committed 22 turnovers in the win, which was their third highest total for the season, but they were able to overcome the number with a 59.5% (25/42) shooting percentage.  The Chaps were also 55.6% (10/18) from three-point range and 93.3% (14/15) from the free-throw line.  Along with Hewitt’s game-high 25 points, LCU received 10 points from Roberts and 10 from Douglas Williams.  Francis led RSU in the loss with 16 points.

LCU closes the regular season with a record of 18-10 overall and in sixth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference with a 13-9 conference mark.  The Chaps, who are 4-2 against top-25 teams, will face Rogers State University again Thursday in the SAC Tournament.  RSU finished in third place in the SAC with a 15-7 conference mark (19-10 overall).  The tournament is hosted by Oklahoma City University and times are to be determined.