Copeland Era Ends in Triple OT

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 3, 2011) – The John Copeland era at Lubbock Christian University came to an end Thursday night at Abe Lemons Arena and with a sour taste left in his mouth.  In the opening round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament, LCU’s Rashad Sample’s lay-up off the glass with five seconds remaining in triple overtime was blocked by Larry Cox, without goaltending being issued from the ball hitting the glass, and the Chaparrals fell 104-103 to No.25 Rogers State University.  The game concludes the 2010-2011 season for the Chaps and the 31-year coaching career for Copeland, who had announced his resignation plans earlier in the season.

Both teams had their chances to stamp a win on the contest and prevent the additional 15 minutes added to regulation.  LCU led 39-19 with 5:26 remaining in the opening half, but would not tally another field goal the rest of the half, while the Hillcats closed the half on a 15-2 run to cut LCU’s lead to 41-34 at halftime. LCU only trailed for 4:26 of the 40 minutes in regulation, but they found themselves trailing by four with 1:37 remaining.  Kenny Hewitt slammed home a dunk with 1:36 left and hit a pair of free throws with 47 seconds trailing to tie the game at 75-75.  Maurice Rutherford regained the RSU lead with a lay-up with 18 seconds remaining.  The Chaps forced overtime with Hewitt nailing a runner in the paint with two seconds remaining.  RSU tried to go for a halfcourt heave but lost the ball and Sample found the ball in his hands with a second left and was able to get off a halfcourt shot that banked off the glass and went in and out.  The score was 77-77 at the end of regulation.

The Chaps never led in the opening overtime frame and had to battle back from an 85-83 deficit with 14 seconds remaining and Matt Kellogg at the free-throw line to put the game out of reach.  Kellogg missed both free throws and Clay Roberts was able to come down and get a lay-up to fall with two seconds remaining to force a second overtime with the score tied 85-85.  The Chaps trailed 93-90 with a minute remaining in the second overtime and received a three-pointer from Kenny Hewitt with 33 seconds remaining to tie the game at 93-93.  LCU’s Matt Read fouled out with seven seconds remaining and the foul sent Maurice Rutherford to the line for a pair of free throws.  He missed both and the game went to a third overtime.  In the third overtime, LCU jumped out to a 101-93 lead after Hewitt and Douglas Williams hit three-pointers to start the period.  Russ Permenter and Hewitt fouled out and the Chaps were struggling for depth inside.  The Hillcats chipped away and a 9-0 run gave RSU the lead with 56 seconds remaining.   Williams hit a pair of free-throws with 44 seconds left for a 103-102 lead before RSU answered back with Alex Ewings getting a finger role to go with 24 seconds left.  That set up the controversial finish with the Chaps not receiving the goaltending call, which decided the outcome of the game.

Five players fouled out in the foul-festive contest, with LCU losing Read, Permenter and Hewitt and RSU losing John Boyd and Kellogg.  The two teams combined for 57 fouls and 78 free-throws, but neither team took advantage of the opportunities.  Rogers State was 26/44 for 59.1%, going 5-of-13 (38.5%) in overtime, while LCU, who entered the game leading the NAIA from the line, was 20/34 (58.8%) and went 4-of-8 (50%) in overtime.

Hewitt posted a game-high 31 points for LCU in the loss.  He was 10-of-17 from the field.  Williams finished with a double-double posting 14 points and 12 rebounds.  John Boyd and Larry Cox co-led RSU with 28 points.  Cox also had 19 rebounds for a double-double.  RSU had 20 offensive rebounds, leading to an 18-2 scoring advantage in second chance scoring.

The 103 points for LCU is the most they have scored in 28 SAC Tournament contests and it also marks the most points that they have tallied in a losing cause since a 106-105 loss on Jan. 20 1994 to Cameron University (Okla.).  LCU is now 12-16 all-time in tournament play and 0-2 against RSU.  The Chaps had won their opening game of the tournament the prior three seasons.

The Chaps comes to a close, unless their numbers for an at-large bid to the national championship tournament catches the voters’ attention.  LCU is 18-11 overall (most wins since a 21-10 season in 2004/2005) and 4-3 against top-25 ranked squads.  The Chaps, who have gone 7-3 over the past ten games, suffered nine of their 11 losses by a point margin of ten or less points.

Four seniors had their college careers come to a close for LCU.  Hewitt, Permenter, Read and Roberts all played their final game as a member of the Chaps.  Hewitt’s season high 31 points against RSU places him with 508 points on the season and 1,835 points in his career.  LCU’s all-time leading scorer finished his career ranking second in program history in field goals attempted (1,360), field goals made (613), free-throws made (412) and free-throws attempted (539).  He also ranks third in three-pointers attempted (561) and fifth in three-pointers made (197).  Permenter finished his senior season with 56 blocks for the fifth best single-season mark in program history.  Other single season marks include Sample notching 185 assists for the fifth best single season mark in program history.

Most notably, the game brings a close to the coaching career of head coach John Copeland.  The former Chaps player has coached the Chaps since taking over for Larry Hays in the 1980-1981 season.  In 904 games over 31 seasons, Copeland has compiled a 469-435 (51.9%) coaching record.  The LCU Athletic Department is currently planning a special ceremony for the 2011-2012 season opener to honor Copeland’s dedication to LCU.