LCU Able to Get Over the Hill-Cats

CLAREMORE, Okla. (December 3, 2011) - Emily Atkins and Brittany Roberts each had 18 points and were two of five Lady Chaparrals to post double figures, as No.17 Lubbock Christian University made 31 of 35 free-throws (88.6%) and overcame an 11-point second half deficit to defeat No.24 Rogers State University 78-73 Saturday afternoon in a Sooner Athletic Conference battle inside Claremore Expo Center.

LCU had to overcome several double-figure deficits in the victory. Rogers State opened up the first half on a 9-0 run and built a 17-3 lead to put the Lady Chaps in a big whole. LCU started making their climb back with nine minutes remaining in the first half trailing 20-10. A 6-0 run comprised of four free throws and a bucket by Kelsey Canavan cut the deficit to 20-16 and LCU would eventually cut the deficit to 34-32 heading into halftime. Nicole Hampton went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and Atkins went 5-for-6 to help LCU go 15-for-16 (93.8%) from the line in the half. LCU out-rebounded RSU 26-16 in the half. The Hillcats had an 8-0 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers, as RSU held a 12-3 turnover advantage in the half.

The Hillcats opened the second half just as they did the game, opening on a 9-0 run and it gave RSU a 43-32 lead 3:22 into the second half. Trailing 50-41 with 14:26 remaining, LCU responded with a 10-2 run to trail 52-51. Atkins and April Ehlers each had three-pointers in the run. The final 10 minutes included seven lead changes. With 2:30 remaining and RSU leading 69-68, Ehlers, who had nine points in the second half, hit a jumper to give LCU the lead and it started a 6-0 run to help LCU lock up the lead.

Atkins had 13 of her 18 points in the second half and Roberts registered 11 of her 18 in the second half. The two players combined to go 20-of-21 from the free-throw line in the game. Roberts, who was 10-for-10 from the line, scored her final eight points from the charity stripe. Along with Atkins and Roberts, LCU received double figures from Canavan (14 points), Ehlers (13 points) and Hampton, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.

LCU out-rebounded RSU 47-34 in the game. RSU did benefit off a 20-9 advantage in turnovers by out-scoring LCU 16-5 in points-off-turnovers. The Hillcats received 18 points from Leah Smith, and also had offensive performances by Sierra Cornwell (15 points) and Ariani Silva (10 points) in the losing cause.

The Lady Chaparrals handed RSU their first SAC loss, as the Hillcats (2-1 in the SAC) had been off to their best conference start in program history. They fell to 7-3 overall. The Lady Chaps improved to 5-3 overall and 2-0 in the SAC with the win. LCU ended a streak of four consecutive losses to the Hillcats. The Lady Chaps return to action Thursday, as they head to Plainview, Texas to face Wayland Baptist.