Solid SAC Start for LCU

LUBBOCK, Texas (January 5, 2012) - No.17 Lubbock Christian University received five players in double figures for a third consecutive game, and Nicole Hampton (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Kelsey Canavan (16 points, 12 rebounds) each had double-doubles to go along with a game-high 19 points from Emily Atkins to lead LCU to an 89-58 win over Oklahoma Baptist University Thursday night inside Rip Griffin Center.  The 31-point win, the biggest by LCU of the 37 all-time meetings between the two Sooner Athletic Conference squads, provides LCU a 6-0 start to conference play for the first time since the 2004/2005 season.

The early first half gave no indication the game would end up with a lopsided outcome.  LCU took a 22-11 lead with 10:39 remaining, but an 11-2 run by the Lady Bison tied the game at 22-22.  With a 26-24 lead, LCU responded with a 9-0 run to lead 35-24 before taking a 44-31 halftime lead.  Canavan and Atkins each had 11 points in the half, with Canavan also collecting eight rebounds.  LCU outscored OBU 18-6 in the paint in the half.

LCU was hitting on all cylinders offensively in the second half.  They went 7-of-11 from three-point range (63.6%) and 59.1% (13/22) from the field in the half.  The Lady Chaparrals surged in the half on a 15-2 run, which was highlighted by two three-point field goals by Atkins. 

Hampton notched her eighth consecutive game of double figure scoring and she notched her third double-double of the season (second consecutive game), coming four assists shy of a triple-double.  Canavan, with her second double-double of the season, was three assists shy of a triple-double.  Along with Hampton, Atkins and Canavan, LCU received 12 points each from April Ehlers and Brittany Roberts.  LCU shot a season best 54.7% (29/53) from the field and hit a season-high 12 three-pointers.  OBU received a team leading 14 points from Ashton Pittman, who was 4-of-8 from three-point range.  They also received 13 points each from Bridget Reynolds and Lauren Crenshaw. 

LCU has won seven straight contests and they improve to 9-3 overall and 6-0 in conference play.  OBU evens their record at 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the SAC.  LCU, who was playing in their first home game since Nov.7, remains home Saturday to host St. Gregory's at 1 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.