Homecoming Meets History as Lady Chaps Host TAMIU

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LUBBOCK, Texas (February 14, 2026) – Homecoming Week culminates Saturday at Rip Griffin Center with a special reunion, as members of the 2015–16 NCAA Division II National Champion Lady Chaparrals are honored on the 10-year anniversary of the program’s first national title. The celebration sets the stage for this season’s Lady Chaps, who host Texas A&M International in a 1 p.m. tip inside The Rip.
 

LONE STAR CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL


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Texas A&M Int’l
Rip Griffin Center
Sat. Feb. 14
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CLOSE CALL AND CALL OF HISTORY

Thursday, LCU survived a furious late rally and held on for a 57-54 Lone Star Conference home victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville, a win that also carried historic significance for head coach Steve Gomez.
 

With the victory, Gomez recorded the 572nd win of his career at Lubbock Christian, moving into fourth place on the all-time list for coaching wins at the same four-year university in women’s basketball programs in the state of Texas. He passed Texas Tech legend Marsha Sharp and now trails only Jody Conradt (Texas), Kim Mulkey (Baylor) and Bob Schneider (West Texas A&M).
 
Lubbock Christian (19-5, 11-4 LSC) built a 35-19 halftime lead behind a dominant second quarter and extended the margin to 51-39 entering the fourth. The Lady Chaps went scoreless from the field over the final 10:45 but sealed the win at the free-throw line, scoring all six of their fourth-quarter points at the stripe.
 
Kennedy Chappell posted her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Kyndle Cunningham poured in a career-high 15 points with five rebounds and three assists. Tia Johnson added 11 points, knocking down three three-pointers.
 

Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-16, 5-10 LSC) was led by Kaycee Groves and Jadeyn Perez with 13 points apiece, trimming a 19-point deficit to two in the fourth before LCU closed out the victory.

CHAP-TIVATING STATS: 5 LADY CHAP FACTS

1 > Firmly in the Title Hunt

Lubbock Christian sits fourth in the Lone Star Conference at 11–4, just one game back of UT Tyler (12–3) and two behind second-place West Texas A&M (14–2), while chasing league leader Texas Woman’s (15–0). LCU owns a 19–5 overall record, an 8–4 true road mark and an 8–1 home record, keeping the Lady Chaps firmly in the top portion of the LSC standings.

2 > Division II’s Three-Point Queens

LCU ranks 12th nationally and first in the LSC in three-point percentage (35.8%) and 34th nationally and first in the conference in three-pointers per game (7.6). The Lady Chaps attempt 21.3 threes per contest and pair perimeter firepower with elite efficiency, ranking 21st nationally and second in the LSC in field-goal percentage (44.2%).

 

3 > Chappell Does It All

Kennedy Chappell leads the LSC in points (374), assists (89), field goals (123), free throws made (114) and free-throw attempts (152). She ranks 46th nationally and second in the LSC in field-goal percentage (52.1%) while averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

4 > Ball Security = Wins

LCU ranks 14th nationally and first in the LSC in turnovers per game (13.3) and 36th nationally and second in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.02). Defensively, the Lady Chaps stand 49th nationally in scoring defense (58.8 ppg) and 70th nationally in opponent field-goal percentage (37.4%).

 

5 > Shooting Depth Everywhere

Meg Meekins ranks first in the LSC in three-pointers per game (1.96) and total threes (47) while shooting 37.6% from deep and averaging 13.6 points. Martie McCoy owns the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the LSC (2.55), and four Lady Chaps average 7.0+ points, with 10 different players reaching double figures this season.

 

SWEET HOME (ON) CHICAGO

Lubbock Christian continues to make the Rip Griffin Center a tough stop, posting an 8–1 home record during the 2025–26 season, including a 6–1 mark in Lone Star Conference play. The Lady Chaps are averaging 71.3 points per game at home while holding opponents to 59.0, producing a +12.3 scoring margin across nine contests. LCU has won six of its eight home victories by double figures, with the lone setback coming against West Texas A&M on Jan. 15.

 

Kennedy Chappell and Meg Meekins have fueled LCU’s home success. Chappell leads the team inside Rip Griffin Center at 15.9 points per game, shooting 51.9% from the field and 78.6% at the free-throw line, while also averaging 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Meekins follows at 13.8 points per game, knocking down 37.8% from three-point range and serving as a constant perimeter threat.

 

Martie McCoy has provided balance, averaging 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per home game, while Tia Johnson is shooting 37.5% from deep and a perfect 12-of-12 at the free-throw line at home.

 

As a team, LCU is shooting 45.1% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range inside Rip Griffin Center, while converting 77.0% at the foul line. The Lady Chaps are also winning the turnover battle at home (+1.8 margin), averaging 13.3 turnovers while forcing 15.1, and riding a four-game home winning streak entering the stretch run of league play.

NCAA DIVISION II’S LONGEST HOME WIN STREAKS

113 – Lubbock Christian Jan. 1, 2015 – Feb. 2, 2023

87 – Neb. Kearney Jan. 31, 1995-Nov. 24, 2001

85 – West Tex. A&M Jan. 9, 1987-Dec. 6, 1991

CONFERENCE CONVERSATION

Lubbock Christian remains in the upper portion of the LSC at 11–4 in league play, producing an +8.3 scoring margin in conference action. Through 15 LSC games, the Lady Chaps are averaging 66.3 points per game while holding opponents to 57.9, continuing to lean on a balanced, efficiency-driven identity on both ends of the floor.

 

Offensively, LCU is shooting 44.1% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range, averaging 6.6 made threes per game in conference play. The Lady Chaps have also been steady at the free-throw line (72.5%) and are averaging 12.4 assists per game, reflecting consistent ball movement and spacing.

 

Defensively, LCU has limited Lone Star opponents to 35.8% shooting overall and 30.1% from beyond the arc, while keeping league foes under 58 points per contest. Rebounding margins have remained tight (32.5–34.1), and LCU has forced 12.9 turnovers per game, helping generate extra possessions and control game flow.

 

Individually, Kennedy Chappell continues to anchor the lineup, averaging 14.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in conference play while shooting 50.7% from the floor. Meg Meekins follows at 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Tia Johnson has added 8.1 points per game and is shooting 44.8% from three and 94.1% at the free-throw line, while Martie McCoy is averaging 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Raegan Lee (3.9 ppg, 51.2% FG, 36.0% 3FG) and Kyndle Cunningham (4.7 ppg, 43.1% FG) continue to provide steady depth in league action.

EYE-OPENING

The 2025-26 season marks LCU’s 13th since leaving the NAIA and LCU is 338-67 record (83.5%) in that span. In NCAA postseason play, the Lady Chaps are 27-5 all-time (78.1%). At home, LCU is 163-9 (94.8%) since the start of the 2015-16 season (NCAA era).

 

NATIONALLY KNOWN

Prior to this season, national rankings were conducted by WBCA and D2CSC in NCAA Division II women’s basketball, but a decision was made to discontinue D2CSC top-25 polls in all sports, so the WBCA is the lone national poll available for NCAA Division II women’s basketball. LCU, who closed last season ranked No.7 in the final WBCA Coaches Poll, opened this season at No.13 in the WBCA Preseason Coaches Poll. They are currently ranked No.23 nationally in the poll, falling from No.20 in the prior poll. Against nationally ranked foes, LCU is 0-2 this season, as their Jan. 15 game against No.7 West Texas A&M and Saturday’s loss at No.3 West Texas A&M mark their only meetings of the season against a nationally ranked program.

 

FIVE FACTS ABOUT TAMIU    

1 > Texas A&M International enters Saturday 12–9 overall and 9–6 in Lone Star Conference play, remaining in the heart of the league’s postseason picture. The Dustdevils dropped a 78–66 decision at Midwestern State Mustangs on Thursday and now continue their road swing with a visit to No. 23 Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps. TAMIU has shown the ability to compete away from home, owning five road wins this season.

2 > Under first-year head coach Casey Fowler, TAMIU averages 65.8 points per game (fifth in the LSC) and attempts 18.0 three-pointers per contest, making 5.3 per game. The Dustdevils rank second nationally in free-throw attempts per game (23.9) and 20th nationally in free throws made per game (15.9), giving them a consistent scoring avenue regardless of shooting rhythm.

 

3 > The Dustdevils’ identity is built around pressure defense. TAMIU leads the Lone Star Conference and ranks 23rd nationally in turnovers forced per game (22.3), producing a +3.4 turnover margin. Opponents average 65.9 points per game and shoot 40.3% against TAMIU, as the Dustdevils rely on activity and ball pressure to disrupt tempo.

 

4 > TAMIU is one of the league’s strongest rebounding teams, ranking first in the LSC and 20th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (15.7) and second in the conference in total rebounds per game (39.6). Racheal Emmanuel anchors the frontcourt with 9.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, including a conference-best 5.1 offensive rebounds per game.

5 > Jayden Smallwood leads the Dustdevils at 13.3 points per game and is coming off a 15-point effort Thursday, her fourth straight game with 15+ points. Aaliyah McMillan adds 12.4 ppg, while Bridgette Tello contributes 10.8 ppg. From deep, Carmen Morcillo ranks second in the LSC in three-pointers made (59) and three-pointers per game (2.8) while shooting 36.6% from three.

 

THE SERIES AGAINST TAMIU

LCU holds a 20-4 all-time record against TAMIU. The Lady Chaps won the first five matchups and had a 14-game winning streak in the series before falling 60-47 on Dec. 8, 2022, in Laredo. TAMIU has won the last four meetings. In Lone Star Conference play, LCU is 5-2 against TAMIU and previously dominated the series 12-1 when both teams were members of the Heartland Conference. Their most recent matchup took place on Feb. 20, 2025 in Laredo, where LCU claimed a 51-40 win. LCU was 10-0 all-time in Lubbock against TAMIU before falling in the prior meeting in Lubbock 65-60 on Dec. 10, 2023, as it was the only meeting in Lubbock of the last five meetings (LCU is 10-1 against TAMIU in Lubbock).

 

PRIOR MEETING VS. TAMIU

LAREDO, Texas (Feb. 20, 2025) – LCU 51 – TAMIU 40  

No. 12 LCU erupted for a decisive 16-1 run to open the fourth quarter and shot 57.9 percent in the second half to pull away from Texas A&M International, earning a 51-40 Lone Star Conference road victory and extending its winning streak to 15 games.

 

Grace Foster powered the comeback with 26 points and 10 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season and 27th of her career, including 12 points and five boards in the fourth quarter alone. LCU (25-3, 19-1 LSC) trailed 21-20 at halftime after shooting just 28.1 percent in the first half, but quickly flipped momentum behind Foster’s dominance in the paint and improved perimeter shooting.

 

Maci Maddox finished with six points, eight assists and three steals, while Audrey Robertson added four points, nine rebounds and two steals. Robertson’s five offensive rebounds helped LCU turn 11 offensive boards into 12 second-chance points. The Lady Chaps held a 35-24 rebounding edge overall.

 

After TAMIU built a seven-point lead early in the third quarter, LCU responded with a 6-0 run to trim the deficit, eventually tying the game at 32-32 entering the fourth. The Lady Chaps then seized control with an 11-0 spurt to begin the final period and never looked back, going 7-of-9 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range in the quarter.

 

Defensively, LCU limited the Dustdevils to 27.7 percent shooting, marking the fourth time this season the Lady Chaps have held an opponent under 30 percent from the field. LCU also forced 14 turnovers and converted them into nine points.

 

Jose Igherighe led TAMIU with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Trinity Chears added 12.