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AUSTIN, Texas (October 23, 20225) – Lubbock Christian University heads to Moody Center in Austin, Texas for an exhibition matchup against No.4 Texas, serving as a dress rehearsal for the Lady Chaparrals team’s regular-season opener. The 7 p.m. tip-off marks LCU’s lone exhibition game prior to the 2025-26 regular season, with LCU’s season opener set for Nov.1 in St. Joseph, Mo.
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\n\t\t\tNCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
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\n\t\t\tNo.4 Texas
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\n\t\t\tThur. Oct. 23
\n\t\t\t7\u00a0p.m.
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\nUNOFFICIALLY UNDERWAY
\nLubbock Christian University officially gets the 2025- 26 regular season underway Nov. 1 against Adams State at the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, hosted by St. Joseph Sports Commission, inside St. Joeph Civic Center, but their exhibition game Thursday can not be overlooked. The Lady Chaps play a NCAA Division I program for the second consecutive season (played Rice last season) and for the second time since the 2018-19 season. Combining the exhibition schedule with the regular season, LCU will play their first five contests on the road before their home fans are able to see them at home Nov. 21.
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\nPOWER EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
\nDiving further into LCU’s exhibition game at Texas, their game Thursday marks LCU’s first game against a Division I opponent since falling to Rice 69-49 Oct. 29, 2024 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Thursday marks LCU’s second trip to face Texas (fell 83-73 Oct. 28, 2019) and second time to face Texas head coach Vic Schaefer, who hosted the Lady Chaps while at Mississippi State Nov.4, 2019 (LCU fell 78-57). LCU is 4-6 all-time in games against NCAA Division I programs, with their last win claimed Oct. 28, 2018 over SMU (62-51 at Moody Coliseum). Historically, LCU does not shy away from Division I competition. Twice, LCU has faced defending NCAA national champion\u00adships squads. Along with facing Baylor in 2018-19, they faced 2014-15 national champion UConn dur\u00ading the 2015-16 exhibition season in Hartford, Conn. Both LCU and UConn went on to claim a national championship in their division in 2015-16.
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\nGLANCING BACK AT LAST SEASON
\nThe Lady Chaparrals are coming off their ninth NCAA postseason appearance after finishing tied atop the Lone Star Conference standings as regular-season co-champions and West Division winners. LCU posted a 32\u20135 overall record, including a 21\u20131 mark in league play, captured the NCAA South Central Regional title, and advanced to the Elite Eight for the fifth time in program history. The long historic season opened with exhibition matches in Florianopolis, Brazil in August and closed with a 66-55 loss in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Pittsburg State in the Elite Eight Quarterfinals. Along the way, LCU claimed their second regional tournament title won on the road and their first defeating the home\/host team in the region title game.
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\n\u00a0WHO RETURNS
\nDespite heavy losses, the Lady Chaparrals return a core group of eight veterans ready to uphold the program’s tradition of excellence. Headlined by junior guard Kennedy Chappell<\/a>, the team’s leading returning scorer and rebounder (5.9 points, 4.4 rebounds per game), the returning nucleus blends experience, athleticism, and defensive grit. Chappell started in 35 of LCU’s 37 games last season and earned NCAA South Central Region All-Tournament honors after helping LCU capture the regional crown.
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\nSenior Taylor Thomas<\/a> adds veteran leadership in the backcourt after averaging 4.4 points across 11 appearances, while Tia Johnson<\/a> (3.4 ppg, 36 games played) returns as a versatile wing presence. Fellow seniors Martie McCoy<\/a>, Deja Johnson<\/a>, and Taylor Allen<\/a> provide depth and physicality, each capable of filling multiple roles within Gomez’s rotation.
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\nJunior Kimber Mathews<\/a> (2.4 ppg) and sophomore Maddie Moyers<\/a> (1.8 ppg) return as reliable shooters off the bench, while the group’s collective experience \u2014 187 combined collegiate appearances \u2014 provides a stabilizing presence alongside an incoming freshman class of seven newcomers.
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\nWHO THEY LOST
\nLubbock Christian enters a new era following the graduation of one of the most accomplished senior classes in program history. The Lady Chaparrals bid farewell to five key contributors \u2014 Grace Foster<\/a>, Maci Maddox<\/a>, Audrey Robertson<\/a>, Reese Schumann<\/a>, and Audrey Spurgin<\/a> \u2014 who were instrumental in guiding LCU to a 32\u20135 record, a Lone Star Conference co-championship, and the program’s fifth NCAA Elite Eight appearance.
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\nFoster capped a remarkable career as one of the greatest players in LCU history, closing with a program-record 2,056 career points, ranking first all-time in both field goals made (680) and attempted (1,427). Her senior season was one for the record books \u2014 setting single-season program records in points (746), field goals (242), and free throws made (181) while shooting an exceptional .486 from the floor and .896 from the line. She also ranked third all-time in rebounds (896) and fifth in blocks (158).
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\nMaddox, the team’s steady floor general, wrapped up her career ranked third all-time in assists (455) while scoring 1,304 career points. Known for her clutch shooting and leadership, she averaged 12.6 points and 4.0 assists per game last season while playing a team-high 36.8 minutes per contest.
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\nRobertson leaves as one of the most durable players in NCAA history, having appeared in 158 career games, the most among active players at the end of last season and just two shy of the all-time record. She concluded her career with 1,407 points and a .493 field goal percentage, ranking among the program’s most efficient scorers.
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\nSchumann (479 rebounds, 93 blocks, 492 points) and Spurgin (215 rebounds, 302 points) also leave behind consistent frontcourt contributions, combining for over 200 career appearances and providing invaluable experience and toughness inside.
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\nTogether, Foster, Maddox, and Robertson accounted for 82 percent of LCU’s scoring output last season, leaving behind an offensive void rarely seen in Gomez’s tenure. Their graduation marks the end of an era defined by record-breaking numbers, postseason success, and championship culture.
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\nNEW FACES
\nLCU welcomes one of the most decorated freshman classes in program history, as head coach Steve Gomez<\/a>, entering his 23rd season, introduces seven newcomers \u2014 the largest incoming group of his tenure. Collectively, the class brings an exceptional blend of talent, versatility, and championship pedigree to a program already rich in tradition.
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\nMeg Meekins<\/a>, a 5-7 guard from Nocona, Texas, headlines the class after a historic high school career in which she surpassed 3,000 career points and led Nocona to its first-ever state championship, earning TGCA 1A\u20134A Player of the Year and state tournament MVP honors. Joining her is Kyndle Cunningham<\/a>, a 6-0 forward from Hobbs, N.M., who graduated as her school’s all-time leader in blocks and a New Mexico All-State selection, helping Hobbs to a 2023 state title and four straight deep playoff runs.
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\nAt 6-1, Ally Ihler<\/a> from Salado, Texas, adds size and versatility to the backcourt. A McDonald’s All-American nominee and Austin Sports Journal Small School Player of the Year, Ihler was a multi-sport standout known for her defense, athleticism, and all-around production. Mattie Dollar<\/a>, a 5-10 guard from Newcastle, arrives as a proven winner \u2014 the 2024 UIL Class 1A State Tournament MVP and TABC Player of the Year, who led her school to its first basketball state title while excelling in tennis and cross country.
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\nHometown standout Reagan Lee<\/a> comes from nearby Lubbock Christian High School, where she won four consecutive TAPPS state basketball championships, earned TAPPS 4A Female Athlete of the Year, and added a state volleyball title to her r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Kaitlyn McAdoo<\/a>, a sharpshooting guard from Winnsboro, Texas, brings elite perimeter scoring after posting back-to-back 100 three-pointer seasons and earning TABC All-State and TGCA All-Legacy honors. Rounding out the class is Kaelie Massenburg<\/a>, a 6-2 forward from Denison, Texas, the 2024\u201325 All-Texomaland Player of the Year, and THSCA Academic All-State honoree known for her size, vision, and interior presence.
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\nTogether, these seven newcomers signal a promising new era for LCU basketball \u2014 one defined by depth, diversity, and championship experience.
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\nLCU’S HISTORY VS. NCAA DIV. I PROGRAMS:
\nDec. 11, 2007 – LCU 75 – Houston Baptist 72
\nCarolyn Manning recorded 20 points and LCU also re\u00adceived 17 points from Sierra Lovorn and 15 points from Jordan Hampton (11-for-13 from the free-throw line) to lead the Lady Chaps to a regular season win at Rip Griffin Center. It was HBU’s first season playing a NCAA Div. I schedule. \u00a0
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\nNov. 9, 2009 – LCU 71 – Texas Tech 65
\nNo. 19 Lubbock Christian University used 22 points from Brittany Hampton and a 40-29 rebound advan\u00adtage to upset Texas Tech University at United Spirit Arena. Hampton scored 14 of her 22 points in the second half, and went 15-for-15 from the free-throw line, which would have been a school single-game record for free throws made without a miss if it had been a regular season game. LCU was 26-for-30 (86.7%) from the line in the game. They also re\u00adceived 15 points from Severyn Smith.
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\nNov. 2, 2013 – LCU 80 – Houston 73
\nNicole Hampton produced a double-double (20 points and 15 rebounds) and Kelsey Hoppel pro\u00adduced 21 points leading to an 80-73 exhibition victory over the University of Houston at Hofheinz Pavilion. Emily Pool added 14 points for LCU, who hit 41 percent from the field, nailed 11 three-pointers and outrebounded Houston 53-49. The Coogs were held to 29 percent shooting.
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\nNov. 3, 2015 – UConn 95 – LCU 39
\nA blocked shot by Kellyn Schneider, followed by a Tess Bruffey bucket in the opening sequence of the game, led to a 2-0 LCU lead and a buzz from over 200 LCU fans in attendance, but it was short lived as Breanna Stewart went 10-of-12 from the field and her 25 points helped UConn to victory. The 56-point margin was UConn’s smallest mar\u00adgin of victory in exhibition play since 2011 and the Huskies were also held under 100 points for only the second time in exhibition play since 2012. Both teams went on to go 35-0 in the regular sea\u00adson and each won
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\nOct. 28, 2018 – LCU 62 – SMU 51
\nLCU forced SMU into 21 turnovers and a 35.7% shooting mark from the field in a victory over the Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. LCU the game for over 35 minutes in the contest, LCU was 42.9% (24\/56) from the field, with 10 of their 24 made field goals launched behind the arc. Maddi Chitsey (15) and Robertson (13) combined for 28 points and were two of four Lady Chaps to finish in double figures. Allie Schulte and Ashton Duncan each had 11 points. Schulte also had five steals and five rebounds. LCU forced SMU into 21 turn\u00adovers, leading to a 29-14 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.
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\nOct. 30, 2018 – New Mexico 62 – LCU 55
\nNew Mexico only outscored Lubbock Christian University in one of four quarters, but a 22-8 outburst in the second quarter was enough to defeat the Lady Chaparrals inside Dreamstyle Arena (The Pit). LCU outscored UNM 12-10 in the first quarter and 19-14 in the final quarter. The Lady Chaps offense faltered in the second quarter, going 3-of-17 (17.6%) from the field and 1-of-10 (10%) from long distance. LCU finished the game 4-of-23 from three-point range. UNM outrebounded LCU 43-41. Maddi Chitsey led LCU with 13 points and her sister Bobbi provided 10 points. Kailin Davis had seven points, six rebounds and a +10 plus\/minus rating. They had trouble with UNM’s Jaisa Nunn, who was 6-of-6 from the field with 17 points.
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\nOct. 28, 2019 – Texas 83 – LCU 73
\nTake away the opening two minutes, or a 10-0 run Texas opened the game with, during the span, and it was an even-steven contest, as LCU fell 83-73 inside Frank Erwin Center. LCU was able to gradu\u00adally come back and bounced back from a 12-point halftime deficit, as Madelyn Turner was 4-of-4 from long range in the second half and produced 16 points in the half to help LCU pull to within four points of the Longhorns (65-61) in the fourth quarter. Texas re\u00adsponded with seven straight points from the free-throw line to claim the win despite LCU having a 42.4% – 40% shooting advantage from the field in the game. Maddi Chitsey led LCU with 22 points and Turner finished with 18 points. Joanne Allen-Taylor fueled Texas with 24 points.
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\nOct. 30, 2019 – Baylor 98 – LCU 63
\nA pair of defending NCAA championship squads hit the hardwood of the Ferrell Center Wednesday night, as Division I national champion Baylor defeated defending Division II national champion Lubbock Christian University 98-63 behind Lauren Cox, who had 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Baylor. LCU trailed 26-18 after the opening quarter and had trouble slowing down Baylor’s 59.5% shooting from the field in the first half, which led to a 52-29 halftime lead. LCU had a much more competitive second half. Allie Schulte exploded for 10 points in the third quarter and LCU was 7-of-17 (42.9%) from the field (3-of-6 from three-point range) in the quar\u00adter. Baylor outscored LCU 20-19 in the quarter and took a 72-48 lead in the fourth quarter. The Lady Chaps played all 14 players and many of the depth players made their exhibition season debuts in the fourth quarter. Baylor outscored LCU 46-34 in the second half, as the Lady Chaps fell 98-63. Along with Lauren Cox’s solid performance, the Lady Bears received a double-double from former Texas Tech Lady Raider Erin DeGrate (17 points and 10 rebounds). They also received 21 points from Te’a Cooper. Baylor was 55.6% from the field off 40-of-72 shooting. LCU, 35.6% (21\/59) from the field, was led by Chitsey, who posted 16 points. She was one of four Lady Chaps to hit double figures. Turner and Schulte each posted 14 points and Emma Middleton had 12 points in 13 minutes (along with five rebounds) off 4-of-5 shooting.
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\nNov. 4, 2019 \u2013 Mississippi State 78 \u2013 LCU 57
\nDivision II top-ranked LCU challenged Division I No. 8 Mississippi State, holding a lead for over 11 minutes in the first half and trailing only 43-41 at halftime. Despite their strong start, LCU struggled with second-half shooting and eventually fell 78-57. LCU’s Maddi Chitsey scored 16 first-quarter points, including a 35-foot buzzer-beater, helping the Lady Chaps lead 25-22 after the opening pe\u00adriod. However, LCU’s offense faltered late in the second quarter, going 2-for-12 as Mississippi State edged ahead. In the second half, LCU endured a 10-minute scoreless stretch, shooting just 23.1% and committing 15 turnovers. Mississippi State’s height advantage was evident, as they out-rebounded LCU 23-11 on the offensive boards and blocked 10 shots. Center Jessika Carter led the Bulldogs with a double-double, scoring 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Despite the loss, LCU held Mississippi State to 38.1% shooting while hit\u00adting 37.5% themselves, with Allie Schulte adding 17 points.
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\nOct. 29, 2024 \u2013 Rice 69 \u2013 LCU 49
\nLubbock Christian University showed early fight but couldn’t sustain its rhythm in a 69\u201349 exhibition loss to Division I Rice University inside Tudor Fieldhouse. The Lady Chaps led 14\u201312 after the first quarter and trailed just 28\u201322 at halftime, fueled by Maci Maddox’s<\/a> 13 first-half points. LCU shot 50% in the third quarter and stayed within eight entering the final frame, but Rice’s depth proved decisive as the Owls closed with a 22\u201310 fourth-quarter surge. Maddox finished with 15 points and three steals, while Grace Foster<\/a> added 10 points and six rebounds. Despite forcing 14 turnovers, LCU managed just 16.7% from beyond the arc (3-of-18) and 35.2% overall, while Rice capitalized on late offensive runs to pull away.
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