SAN ANTONIO, Texas (December 16, 20205)  — No. 4 Lubbock Christian University fell to No. 2 Washburn University 78-66 in a neutral site matchup at Bill Greehey Arena in the first game of the River City Holiday Classic on Tuesday. 

The Chaparrals’ eight steals and 26 points in the paint kept the game competitive, but the Ichabods’ 12 three-pointers and 16 fast-break points helped them secure the win.

Lubbock Christian is now 9-2 on the season. Washburn remains undefeated at 12-0. 

The Chaps started the first half with a strong offensive showing, led by Alex Anamekwe’s three-point shooting. The senior hit from behind the arc and was fouled at the 9:09 mark, which briefly gave LCU a three-point edge. Anamekwe was 4-for-5 from the field in the first half for 12 points.

Each team continued to trade baskets, with neither leading by more than two for the next seven minutes. Lucas Mercandino and Antonio Pusateri got into a rhythm, with the former assisting the latter on four straight baskets. The last one knotted the game up at 34 with 2:12 left in the half, but Washburn closed with a 9-0 run, including a three to beat the buzzer and take the momentum into the locker room 

Turnovers proved costly for the Chaps in the opening half, as they committed nine, leading to nine Ichabod points. 

WU continued that momentum into the second half, pushing the lead out to 15 points at the 15:35 mark. The Chaps were able to answer with an 11-3 run of their own and bring the deficit back to five six minutes later. 

A steal and a fastbreak dunk by Amondo Miller Jr. brought the Chaps within four with 7:28 left to play and seemed to give them the momentum, but on the ensuing possession, Washburn was able to grab two offensive rebounds and finish with a three-pointer, giving them so breathing room. 

Lubbock Christian pulled no closer than eight the rest of the game, as Washburn went a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line in the final two minutes. 

Pusateri led with 22 points, converting 11 of 15 field goals, and recorded three steals. Miller Jr. scored 16 points and collected nine rebounds, contributing significantly on both ends with two steals. Lucas Mercandino added 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and recorded seven assists. Anamekwe posted 12 points with three 3-pointers and grabbed five rebounds. 

GAME NOTES:

– The Chaparrals’ 17 turnovers are their most in a single game since Jan. 27, 2024, when they had 21 in a loss to DBU

– Pusateri’s 22 points set a new career-high, surpassing his previous mark of 19, which he has reached twice as a Chap

– Only one of the Chaps’ 66 points was scored by a non-starter – a free throw in the first half made by Leo Nordberg

– Although offensive rebounds were fairly close (8-6 in favor of Washburn), the Ichabods scored 11 second-chance points compared to zero for the Chaps

– Miller Jr. has now reached double-figures in all 11 games so far this season and led the team in rebounding for the fourth time

NEXT UP: 

The Chaps will be back on the floor quickly, taking on Central Missouri at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Bill Greehey Arena.

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