Lady Chaps Break Free From Queens

BETHANY, Okla. (March 4, 2010) – Lubbock Christian University converted 18 of 20 free-throws in the second half, with Brittany Hampton hitting 10 of 12 in the half for a majority of her 21 points to lead the No.23 Lady Chaparrals to a 68-64 win over Wayland Baptist University to open the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament at Sawyer Center on the campus of Southern Nazarene University Thursday morning.

Hampton had just one field goal in the second half, with ten of her 12 second half points coming from the free-throw line.  The second half featured five lead changes.  LCU was able to overcome a 41-34 deficit with 16:28 left with a 9-2 run highlighted by five straight points by Ashley Coggins followed by four consecutive free-throws from Hampton.  The see-saw battle ensued with five lead changes until Brittany Hampton mixed in a trio of free-throws with another Coggins field goal for another 5-0 run with 6:24 remaining for a 57-54 Lady Chaps lead.  Wayland Baptist attempted to rally back, tying the contest on three occasions in the final 4:34, but three LCU free-throws and Hampton’s lone field goal of the second half allowed LCU to take a 66-61 lead and they would hold on the final 31-seconds. 

Twenty of LCU’s 38 second-half points came from the free-throw line, as they shot 90% (18/20) in the half and 85.7% (24/28) in the game.  It was as advertised for the program that entered the game fourth in the NAIA at the line with a 76.8% free-throw percentage on the season.

Wayland Baptist had the halftime lead at 34-30, benefitting off of 14 forced turnovers.  LCU limited their turnovers to just four in the second half to even out the statistic with each team committing 18.  Fouls also caused havoc in the first half for LCU.  Severyn Smith opened the game with a three-pointer and had the Lady Chaps first five points in the opening two minutes, but two fouls in the span had her quickly replaced.  LCU was whistled for 12 fouls in the first half.  Smith stayed out of trouble in the second half and finished with 13 points. 

Jessica Walker led all scorers with 22 points for the Flying Queens, with 12 coming in the opening half.  Alex Williams also finished in double-figures in the losing cause with 12 points.  WBU falls to 17-13, while LCU improves to 19-10 and completes the season with a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over their rivals.

LCU’s win marks the seventh consecutive season they have opened the conference tournament with a victory.  They are now 2-1 all-time against WBU in tournament history and they are 8-15 all-time overall in the tournament.  LCU head coach Steve Gomez is 7-6 all-time on SAC tourney history. 

The Lady Chaps are now scheduled to play Friday at 3 p.m. against two-seeded Oklahoma City University, who defeated host Southern Nazarene 75-74.  The game can be heard online at www.lcuchaps.com.