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TYLER, Texas\u00a0(January 22, 2026) \u2013 A milestone moment meets a challenging road test Thursday as No. 15 Lubbock Christian University plays the 400th game of its NCAA Division II era, tipping off a Lone Star Conference road trip at UT Tyler with a 5:30 p.m. start at the Herrington Patriot Center. \nSECOND-HALF SURGE POWERED NO. 11 LADY CHAPS PAST ENMU CHAP-TIVATING STATS: 5 LADY CHAP FACTS 2 > Nationally Elite from Deep CONFERENCE CONVERSATION EYE-OPENING
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\nThe Lady Chaps are slated to continue the trip Saturday at No. 3 Texas Woman’s in Denton, although a Winter Weather Advisory could force changes to the weekend slate.
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\n\t\t\tLONE STAR CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
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\n\t\t\tUT Tyler
\n\t\t\tTyler, Texas
\n\t\t\tThur.\u00a0Jan. 22
\n\t\t\t5:30 p.m.
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\nNo. 11 LCU leaned on a dominant second-half performance to pull away for a 77\u201363 Lone Star Conference victory over Eastern New Mexico Saturday inside Rip Griffin Center, turning a tightly contested first half into a statement win.
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\nLCU trailed for more than 14 minutes in the opening half before closing strong to take a 37\u201334 lead into the break, then seized full control with a decisive third quarter. The Lady Chaps outscored ENMU 24\u201312 in the period, using extended scoring runs of 14\u20130 and 18\u20132 to stretch the margin to double figures and never look back.
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\nKennedy Chappell<\/a> delivered one of the most complete performances of her career, finishing with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and a career-high 14 rebounds. She became just the second different Lady Chaps player in the program’s NCAA era to record at least 20 points and 14 rebounds in a game, while extending her double-figure scoring streak to 13 consecutive contests. The outing marked her second double-double of the season and her career.
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\nFreshman Meg Meekins<\/a> led all scorers with 24 points, connecting on 8-of-17 from the field and 7-of-11 at the free-throw line. Martie McCoy<\/a> added nine points and four assists without a turnover, while Raegan Lee<\/a> chipped in 10 points on a perfect shooting night, going 2-for-2 from the field and 4-for-4 at the line.
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\nLCU finished the game shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and a season-high 24-of-31 at the free-throw line, outscoring ENMU 24\u20137 at the stripe. The victory marked LCU’s 10th straight win over the Greyhounds, improved the Lady Chaps to 15\u20133 overall and 7\u20132 in conference play, and continued their strong home success inside Rip Griffin Center.<\/p>\n
\n1 > In the Thick of the LSC Race
\nLubbock Christian enters the week at 15\u20133 overall and 7\u20132 in Lone Star Conference play, sitting fifth in the standings but within striking distance of the league’s unbeaten leaders. The Lady Chaps are just two games back of West Texas A&M and Texas Woman’s (9\u20130) and one game behind ENMU and UT Tyler (8\u20131), with the head-to-head win over ENMU providing a key tiebreaker. LCU owns the third-best winning percentage in the LSC (.833) and continues to thrive away from home, going 7\u20132 on the road and a perfect 3\u20130 at neutral sites, while improving to 5\u20131 at Rip Griffin Center following Saturday’s win.<\/p>\n
\nLCU remains one of Division II’s most dangerous perimeter shooting teams, ranking third nationally and first in the LSC in three-point percentage (38.6%). The Lady Chaps also sit 35th nationally and third in the conference in three-pointers made per game (7.8), pairing efficiency with consistent volume.
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\n3 >\u00a0Kennedy Chappell<\/a> Drives It All
\nKennedy Chappell<\/a> continues to anchor LCU on both ends, leading the LSC in total points (303), assists (70), free throws made (84) and ranking fourth in the league in scoring (16.8 ppg). She also ranks 29th nationally and third in the LSC in field-goal percentage (54.8%) among high-usage players. Chappell has scored in double figures in 17 of 18 games and is riding a 13-game double-digit scoring streak, adding rebounding and defensive production to her offensive load.
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\n4 > Efficiency Wins Games
\nEfficiency remains a defining trait for the Lady Chaps, who rank 16th nationally and second in the LSC in field-goal percentage (44.8%), 18th nationally in fewest turnovers per game (13.6) and 35th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.00). LCU also sits 64th nationally in scoring defense (59.7 ppg) and 66th in scoring margin (+8.9), illustrating balance on both ends of the floor.
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\n5 > Multiple Weapons, One Identity
\nLCU’s depth continues to separate it. Meg Meekins<\/a> averages 14.8 points per game, ranks first in the LSC in three-point percentage (40.2%), and sits top-25 nationally from deep. Martie McCoy<\/a> leads the conference and ranks third nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.09), while four Lady Chaps average at least 9.0 points per game. LCU averages 18.2 bench points, reinforcing a balanced rotation capable of sustaining pressure for 40 minutes.
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\nON THE ROAD
\nLubbock Christian has continued to excel away from home this season, compiling a 7\u20132 record in true road games and outscoring opponents by an average of 8.0 points per contest (66.8\u201358.8). The Lady Chaps have been efficient offensively on opposing floors, shooting 45.6% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range, while averaging 7.4 made three-pointers per game. That perimeter efficiency continues to mirror LCU’s standing among Division II’s most effective shooting teams.
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\nDefensively, LCU has been equally steady on the road, holding opponents to just 36.6% shooting overall and 29.6% from beyond the arc, while allowing fewer than 59 points per game. The Lady Chaps also control the glass away from home, owning a +3.7 rebounding margin (33.8\u201330.1), and average 13.4 assists per road contest, reflecting strong ball movement in hostile environments.
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\nA defining trait of LCU’s road success has been its ability to surge after halftime. The Lady Chaps own a 57-point third-quarter scoring advantage on the road (171\u2013114, average of 19.0 \u2013 12.7), their largest margin of any period, repeatedly using the third frame to swing momentum during an extended stretch of road games.
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\nIndividually, Kennedy Chappell<\/a> has led the way away from home, averaging 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 55.1% from the field. Meg Meekins<\/a> adds 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest, while Martie McCoy<\/a> contributes 9.3 points per game, shooting 50.0% from three-point range and continuing to anchor the offense at point guard. LCU has had six players score at least 40 points in road games, underscoring its balance.
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\nLCU’s only road losses came by a combined six points at UCCS (Dec. 16) and St. Mary’s (Jan. 4). The Lady Chaps remain one of the Lone Star Conference’s strongest road teams, owning seven road victories and a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 built on efficiency, balance, and second-half execution.<\/p>\n
\nLubbock Christian has continued to establish itself in Lone Star Conference play, posting a 7\u20132 league record while outscoring conference opponents 67.7\u201359.2 for a +8.4 scoring margin through nine games. The Lady Chaps have been efficient offensively, shooting 45.4% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range, knocking down 57 triples (6.3 per game) in conference action. LCU has also been reliable at the free-throw line, converting 72.8% of its attempts, while holding a clear edge in ball movement with 12.0 assists per game. Defensively, the Lady Chaps have limited LSC opponents to just 35.2% shooting overall and 30.5% from beyond the arc, keeping scoring in check throughout league play.
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\nIndividually, Kennedy Chappell<\/a> has been one of the Lone Star Conference’s most productive offensive performers, averaging 17.0 points per game on 55.7% shooting, while adding 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest in conference action. Meg Meekins<\/a> has contributed 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, providing consistent scoring and presence on the glass. Martie McCoy<\/a> has delivered across the stat sheet, averaging 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-best 3.4 assists per game, while leading the team with 36 assists in league play. Tia Johnson<\/a> has added 7.2 points per game while shooting 37.5% from three-point range, and Kyndle Cunningham<\/a> has supplied efficient production off the bench at 4.4 points per game on 53.8% shooting. Additional depth has come from Raegan Lee<\/a>, Maddie Moyers<\/a> and Deja Johnson<\/a>, with Moyers shooting 66.7% from both the field and three-point range in conference action.<\/p>\n
\nThe 2025-26 season marks LCU’s 13th since leaving the NAIA and LCU is 334-65 record (83.7%) in that span, as Thursday’s game in Tyler marks LCU’s 400th game as NCAA official members. 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).
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\nNATIONALLY KNOWN
\nPrior 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.15 nationally in the poll, dropping from No.11 in the prior poll. Against nationally ranked foes, LCU is 0-1 this season, as Thursday’s game against No.7 West Texas A&M marked their first meeting of the season against a nationally ranked program.
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\nFIVE FACTS ABOUT UTT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n1 >\u00a0UT Tyler enters the matchup at 12\u20136 overall and 8\u20131 in Lone Star Conference play, tied with Eastern New Mexico for third place and sitting one game behind unbeaten leaders West Texas A&M and Texas Woman’s. The Patriots have won six straight games, own a 6\u20131 road record, and are one of five teams still firmly in the LSC title race as the conference schedule reaches its midpoint.
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\n2 >\u00a0UT Tyler has built its success around elite defense, ranking No. 1 in Division II in scoring defense by allowing just 49.4 points per game. The Patriots also sit first in the LSC and top 15 nationally in both turnover margin (+7.2) and turnovers forced per game (23.7), consistently turning defense into scoring opportunities.
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\n3 >\u00a0The Patriots lead the Lone Star Conference in three-point attempts per game (25.9) and steals per game (14.1), pairing aggressive on-ball pressure with high-volume perimeter offense. UT Tyler ranks fourth in the league in scoring margin (+9.9) despite averaging just 59.3 points per game, underscoring how defensive disruption fuels their success.
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\n4 >\u00a0UT Tyler features one of the most internationally diverse rosters in the conference, with contributors from Australia, Russia, Finland, Montenegro, Spain, Georgia and Canada. That global depth has translated into balance, with eight players averaging at least 5.0 points per game, including Australian freshmen Hayley Cumming and Leila Davis, who rank first and second on the team in scoring.
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\n5 >\u00a0The Patriots are coming off a 56\u201351 road win at St. Mary’s, holding the Rattlers to 38% shooting and forcing 18 turnovers. Hayley Cumming led the way with 15 points, while Nikolina Vukcevic added 11. Mileina Sablinskaite continues to anchor the defense, ranking first in the LSC in steals per game (2.61) and owning the league’s lone triple-double this season.
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\nTHE SERIES AGAINST UTT
\nLCU leads the all-times series 5-3 over UTT, with LCU winning the prior game, which was in Tyler, 53-50 (Dec. 4, 2024) to end a three-game win streak by the Patriots. The Patriots are in their seventh season since transitioning from Division III to Division II and in their fifth season of postseason eligibility. The first five meetings of the all-time series were played in Tyler, Texas. The streak ended Mar. 13, 2023, as UTT and LCU met in San Angelo, Texas in the championship game of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional, where LCU fell 67-64 in double overtime. In a crazy series schedule, as only one of the prior eight all-time meetings has occurred in Lubbock, LCU is 5-1 all-time against UTT in Tyler.
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\nPRIOR MEETING VS. UTT
\nTYLER, Texas (Dec. 4, 2024) \u2013 LCU 53 \u2013 UTT 50 \u00a0
\nNo. 2 Lubbock Christian University used a dominant late defensive stand to secure a 53\u201350 road victory over No. 5 UT Tyler, ending the game on an 11\u20130 run in its first true road contest of the season. Grace Foster<\/a> led all scorers with 16 points, scoring seven in the fourth quarter and surpassing 1,500 career points on a decisive three during the closing surge. Audrey Robertson<\/a> added 11 points and three steals, while Kennedy Chappell<\/a> contributed four points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
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\nLCU forced 17 turnovers and converted them into a season-high 20 points, overcoming a season-low 31.3 percent shooting performance and a 35\u201329 rebounding deficit. UT Tyler built a 50\u201342 lead with just over four minutes remaining but did not score again, managing only three field-goal attempts down the stretch.
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\nThe win marked LCU’s first victory over a nationally ranked opponent since the 2023 postseason, its first road win over a ranked team since 2019, and its first 9\u20130 start since the 2020\u201321 national championship season. LCU also snapped a three-game skid against UT Tyler and improved to 5\u20131 all-time in Tyler.
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