LCU Finally Tops Tarleton

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (November 22, 2011) - Kelsey Canavan had 13 of her game-high 21 points in the second half to overcome a 10-point deficit and lead the No.17 Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals to an 87-84 victory over Tarleton State University inside a rowdy Wisdom Gym.  It was the 20^th all-time meeting between the two programs and was the Lady Chaps first win since Jan. 19, 1989 over the TexAnns and their just their second win ever in the series. 

In the opening half, LCU had a 6-3 lead snatched away with a 10-0 run by the TexAnns. They would end up building the lead to 24-16 before the Lady Chaps responded with a 6-0 run with four of the points coming from Kelsey Canavan. Tara Towns hit one of four TexAnns three-pointers in the first half to cap a 6-0 run in the final two minutes to help TSU take a 36-30 lead at halftime.

The Lady Chaps shot 50% (11/22) inside the perimeter in the opening half, but went 0-of-5 from three-point range.  Nicole Hampton led LCU and all scorers in the first half with 10 points.  LCU out-scored Tarleton 22-12 in the paint in the half, but Tarleton had a 12-4 advantage in points off turnovers after forcing the Lady Chaps into 11 turnovers.

The TexAnns had a quick start to the second half and took their largest lead at 44-34 three minutes into the half.  LCU was in foul trouble most of the second half.  Emily Atkins and Brittany Roberts each had four fouls within the first five minutes of the second half.  Despite the foul trouble, they battled back. The Lady Chaps scored the next five points and it led to a 9-2 run that saw a three point play by Canavan prove as the turning point.  The three-point play by Canavan kicked off a streak of nine consecutive LCU points scored by Canavan.  April Ehlers hit a three-pointer with 12:25 left, the Lady Chaps first of the game, and then went to the line on the following possession to cut the deficit to 53-52 with 11:51 remaining.  Kelsey Hoppel hit a pair of three pointers and LCU had its first lead of the second half with a 60-58 advantage as 9:31 remained. The teams traded deuces around from that mark until LCU led 72-70.  The Lady Chaps got a stop and then went on a 7-2 run to take a 79-72 lead.  LCU would hold on from there.

Teams combined for 79 free throws, with LCU nailing 28 of their 37 attempts (75.7%) and TSU successful on 31 of their 42 attempts (73.8%).  LCU shot 65.4% from the field in the second half (17/26) and a season best 52.8% (28/53) in the game.  Canavan, who fouled out late in the game, finished with a game and career high 21 points.  LCU had five players in double figures offensively, with Nicole Hampton (16), Atkins (14), Ehlers (13) and Hoppel (10) joining Canavan.  Shelby Adamson led TSU with 20 points and they also received 18 from Peyton Adamson and 16 from Shanae Lowrance.   

LCU ended a two-game losing skid and avoided their first three-game skid since February of 2005, improving to 3-3 with the win.  Tarleton State, the NCAA Div. II Lone Star Conference preseason favorites, fall to 2-3 and their two-game win streak comes to a halt.  The contest marked the final preconference game for LCU.  They begin conference play Dec. 1st at John Brown University.