Fort Lewis College

Next Game:

at Fort Lewis College

11/22/2025 | 7 P.M. MT / 8 P.M. CT


Nov. 22 (Sat) / 7 P.M. MT / 8 P.M. CT


at Fort Lewis College

History

DURANGO, Colo. (November 21, 2025) — Lubbock Christian University edged Colorado Mesa University 77-75 in a tightly contested matchup at Whalen Gymnasium Friday night, as the Mavericks missed a buzzer-beater opportunity in the neutral site contest. 

The Chaparrals led by five at halftime, and despite a late surge by the Mavericks, held on for the win. Lubbock Christian’s 41 rebounds, including 20 offensive boards, proved crucial, while their defense forced 13 turnovers, converting them into 10 points.

Lubbock Christian stands at 5-0 overall. Mesa holds a 1-2 record.

The game began with the Chaparrals quickly taking control through Kendall Dow’s early three-pointer, which would be a theme in the initial 20 minutes. Dow, who has been one of LCU’s hot hands early in the year, led the team with 18 points in the opening half, including a 5-of-6 showing from behind the arc. 

Amondo Miller Jr. contributed significantly with multiple three-pointers and key assists in the first half as well, helping them maintain their lead, pushing it out to seven points at the 13:03 mark.

The Mavericks responded with an 8-2 run to pull within run and briefly took the lead with less than eight minutes to go. They led by as many as five with 3:55 left in the half, but Lubbock Christian’s consistent shooting from beyond the arc, particularly from Dow, reasserted their advantage. The half concluded with the Chaparrals ahead 44-39.

Lubbock Christian opened the second half with a three-pointer from Alex Anamekwe, assisted by Dow. They capitalized on their opportunities in the paint, scoring 20 points, with key contributions from Antonio Pusateri, who added several buckets inside, putting LCU ahead by eight early in the half. 

Once again though, Colorado Mesa fought back. A 5-0 run with less than 10 minutes to go tied the game up at 63-all. LCU responded with a 6-0 run of their own to regain their lead, setting up a back-and-forth battle to wrap up the game. 

A three-pointer from Cohnej Gonzales with 2:24 left to play pulled the Mavericks back within two, and Mesa still down by that many with 43 seconds left. The two teams traded missed shots, and LCU missed a free throw that Reagan Fiedler missed with 4.6 seconds left, and Mesa’s buzzer-beater attempt hit the back iron, sealing LCU’s win.

Amondo Miller Jr. led the team with 27 points, including four 3-pointers, and added 10 rebounds and five assists. Dow contributed 18 points, converting five of eight 3-point attempts. Pusateri scored 17 points and matched Miller Jr. with 10 rebounds. Lucas Mercandino posted eight points and dished out five assists.

GAME NOTES:

– The Chaps finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds, their most in a single game in the NCAA Division II era (since 2014). Their previous high was 19, on Nov. 20, 2015, against Hillsdale Baptist.

– Eight of those offensive rebounds came from Pusateri, who finished with 10 boards total for a double-double. Miller Jr. also had a double-double.

– The Chaps are 5-0, giving them their best start to a season since 2021-22, when they were victorious in 20 straight games to start the season.

– Pusateri was two shy of matching his season high, and 15 of his 17 points in the game came in the second half.

– LCU shot a season-low 39.2 percent in the game, while the Mavericks shot 43.1 percent. It is the first time this season that a Chap opponent has out-shot them.

NEXT UP: 

There’s not much time for the Chaps to rest, as they will play again Saturday, taking on the host Fort Lewis Skyhawks at 8 p.m. CT.Â