Western New Mexico University

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Western New Mexico University

2/26/2026 | 7:30 P.M.


Feb. 26 (Thu) / 7:30 P.M.


 Western New Mexico University

History

ODESSA, Texas (February 21, 22026) — Lubbock Christian University survived their final road contest of the regular season, beating UT Permian Basin 80-77, despite the Falcons out-shooting LCU in the game.

The game featured 12 lead changes and was tied 11 times and the Chaparrals did not take the lead for good until the 2:09 mark in the second half on a three-pointer by Kendall Dow. 

Lubbock Christian has a record of 24-4 overall and 15-3 in the Lone Star Conference. UTPB stands at 10-16 overall and 6-12 in Lone Star competition.

The Chaps began the game with a strong offensive effort, taking an early lead through Lucas Mercandino’s three-pointer to start the game. But UTPB started strong too and took a 10-7 lead just four minutes in on a three-pointer of their own. 

A short 9-0 burst from Lubbock Christian put them back in front and ahead by six, which ended up being the largest margin by either team for the entire game, as the Falcons responded with the next five poits of the game. A three-pointer from Jett McCasland had LCU ahead by five with two minutes to go in the opening period, but UTPB hit a layup in the final 20 seconds and the halftime break came with just a three-point gap separating the teams.

LCU had been the hotter shooting team in the first half, hitting on 51 percent of their total shots, despite a 2-of-10 showing from behind the arc. That would flip in the second half, as UTPB shot a scorching 62.5 percent down the stretch. 

UTPB’s hot-shooting kept them either ahead or within striking distance for the remainder of the game, as neither team had better than a five-point lead in the final 20 minutes. That gap came five minutes into the second half and had the Falcons on top, but Amondo Miller Jr. hit back-to-back three-pointers to put the Chaps back on top. The LCU found themselves up by five with under 10 minutes to go, and it was UTPB’s turn to respond. 

The Falcons had the lead with three minutes to go on a three-pointer by TJ McKinzie. Lucas Mercandino answered with a three-point play the hard way before Dow’s three-pointer put the Chaps ahead for good. Devin Baccas came up big on the ensuing Falcon possession, grabbing a steal and hitting a fastbreak layup that increased the LCU lead to three. Antonio Pusateri hit another layup with a minute to go, and Dow iced the game with a pair of free throws. 

Miller Jr. led the scoring for the Chaps with 24 points, converting 9 of 17 field goals and adding five rebounds. Mercandino contributed 17 points and collected seven rebounds, shooting 7 of 14 from the field. Dow added 16 points, making four 3-pointers and dishing out three assists. Pusateri recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, including 10 on the defensive end.

GAME NOTES:

– The Chaps have now won 24 games, one shy of matching their season total from last year. The total of 25 a season ago was the most by an LCU team since the 2021-22 season, when they won 27 games.

– Pusateri’s double-double is his 18th of the year, which leads the Lone Star Conference and ranks second in the nation.

– Miller Jr. scored at least 20 points in his fifth-straight game. He has now scored 20 or more points in 14 games this season.

– The Chaps out-rebounded their opponent for the 20th time this season and are now 19-1 in those contests.

– With four more made three-pointers, Dow now has 82 made on the season. He is 15 away from having the fifth-most in a single-season in Chaparral history.

– The Falcons out-shot the Chaps in the contest, marking just the fourth time this season an opponent has been more efficient than LCU. They are now 2-2 in those games.

NEXT UP: 

Lubbock Christian will return to the Rip Griffin Center for the final two games of the regular season as they host Western New Mexico and Sul Ross.Â