Lady Chaps Facing Defending Champs

AZUSA, Calif. (November 1, 2011) - It is a rematch of last season's Elite Eight matchup from the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship tournament, which ended the Lady Chaparrals season, as No.17 Lubbock Christian University begins a California road trip Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. (central) facing No.1 Azusa Pacific University, the defending NAIA National Champions. ONLINE AUDIO LINK / LIVE SCORING  / GAME NOTES RADIO: KJAK 92.7 FM

NON-NCAA... FOR NOW

LCU has a 2-1 record on the season, with all three games played against NCAA Div. II programs.  Their game against Azusa Pacific marks the Lady Chaparrals first game against a NAIA opponent...But, Azusa is currently in transition and heading to the NCAA Div. II ranks.  This is the final season Azusa is eligible for NAIA postseason play.

THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS HAMPTON

Brittany Roberts guided the Lady Chaps to wins over NCAA Division II schools Texas-Permian Basin and Abilene Christian, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds to claim the Sooner Athletic Conference Women's Player of the Week honor.  She had 19 against UTPB, aided by a 5-of-9 shooting performance beyond the arch. On the road at ACU, she recorded 15 points and had 7 assists. Roberts shot 54 percent from three-point range and hit 9 of 10 free throw attempts.  The honor marked the second time Roberts has received conference player of the week accolades.  She received the honor last season in November.  .

GOING BACK TO CALI

This is the Lady Chaps first trip to California since the 2005-2006 season.  On that trip, LCU lost to Westmont College (71-63), but then went on to defeat Fresno Pacific (80-59) before falling to Azusa Pacific (82-67).   

IT FIGURES

Coming off an 80-73 win on the road at Abilene Christian, LCU had five players in double-figures in points. Emily Atkins led the balanced attack, which also included Kelsey Canavan (16), Brittany Roberts (15), April Ehlers (10), Kelsey Hoppel (10) in double figures.

RANKING THE COMPETITION

Not only does the Lady Chaps trip to California pit them against their first NAIA opponents of the season, but it is also the first ranked opponents for LCU to play.  Azusa holds the top spot after claiming the NAIA title last season and Westmont College, who LCU will face Saturday, is ranked No.20.  LCU has defeated a No.1 team once in program history.  They defeated Vanguard (Calif.) 69-59 in a Final Four contest at the 2006 NAIA National Championship tourney.

ABOUT AZUSA

The Cougars went 33-5 en route to a NAIA National Title last season, but they have four new starters this season.  Returning is returning All-American Briana Hall.  APU lost both of their exhibition games, losing at Arizona State (66-35) and Northern Arizona (79-66)

THE SERIES

LCU and Azusa are tied 2-2 all-time head-to-head.  Ironically for LCU, their last game against a NAIA opponent was against APU.  The Cougars have won the last two meetings, with the last LCU win coming on Nov. 29, 2002.

THE LAST MEETING

Mar. 19, 2011 - JACKSON, Tenn. - AZUSA 79 - LCU 54

Azusa Pacific University had six players in double figures in scoring and they used a 38-18 scoring advantage in the paint to defeat Lubbock Christian University 79-54 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship at Oman Arena. 

Leading the way in scoring for Azusa Pacific was University of Miami transfer Eboni Sadler, who finished with 21 points on a 7-of-11 performance from the floor and knocking down 7-of-10 free throw attempts. Other players finishing with double figures included Moore-Porter (13), Byrd (11), Kristie Hala’ufia’ (10), Amber Williams (10) and Briana Hall (10). The Cougars out-rebounded Lubbock Christian 41-31 and limited the Lady Chaps to 30 percent (18/60) from the floor.  LCU was just 8-of-28 from three-point range (28.6%).

Lubbock Christian was led by freshman Emily Atkins’ 16-point outing. She was aided by 12 points from April Ehlers. The Lady Chaps connected on just eight field goal attempts in the second half, three of which came from behind the arc.  LCU was just 23.5% (8/34) from the field in the second half.  Foul calls were not that far one-sided, with LCU whistled for 25 of the 47 foul calls, but Azusa attempted 20 additional free-throw attempts.  APU out-scored LCU 22-10 from the line.

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