Second Half Goes Foul For LCU

SHAWNEE, Okla. (February 6, 2010) – No.2 Oklahoma Baptist University dodged an upset to Lubbock Christian University Saturday at Noble Complex by going on an 18-1 second half run to defeat the Chaparrals 85-71.

LCU had a 43-36 lead after a trio of free-throws by Kenny Hewitt on the Chaps opening possession of the second half, but that is when the Bison’s offense exploded with key breaks along the way. The 18-1 run finally came to an end when LCU’s Benoit Bekono slammed home the Chaps first field goal of the half 5:32 into the half.

OBU benefitted off a 16-6 foul advantage in the second half, which led to LCU’s Benoit Bekono and Hewitt fouling out and a 22-6 field goal attempt advantage. LCU was out-rebounding OBU 18-14 at the half, but OBU used a 26-14 rebounding advantage in the second half. Nate Brumfield scored 20 of his game high 25 points in the half.

LCU led throughout most of the first half. After eight lead changes, LCU used an 11-3 run for a 31-24 lead with 5:27 left. They eventually took a 38-29 lead for their largest lead of the game, before taking a 40-36 lead at the half.

Douglas Williams and Hewitt each had ten points in the opening half for LCU. Williams finished with a team high 19 points and Hewitt finished with 14. Al Duvall also finished with 12 points for LCU. The Chaps shot 48.3% (14/29) from the field in the first half, but shot just 36.4% (12/33) in the second half. OBU's Brumfield had 11 rebounds to go along with his 25 points for a double-double. Kevin Swinton (17), Garrett Steinmetz (12) and AJ Hawkins (10) joined Brumfield with double-digit point production. OBU took advantage of 36 free-throw attempts in the game by hitting 29 (80.6%) of them. LCU was whistled for 25 fouls in the game (11 for OBU). When LCU was able to get to the line, they took advantage of their chances, going 12-for-14 from the line (85.7%).

While OBU improved to 21-1 overall and 13-1 in the SAC, the Chaps fell to 13-9 and 8-8. The loss ended the Chaps two-game road winning streak. LCU returns to action Thursday night at 8 p.m. hosting University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma inside Rip Griffin Center.