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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (October 31, 2025) \u2013 In the city where the Pony Express began, No.13 Lubbock Christian University will begin its own 2025\u201326 journey. The Lady Chaps open their season for a fifth straight year at a D2CCA event, competing in the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic inside St. Joseph Civic Arena. LCU faces Adams State Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by a Sunday matchup against Missouri Western State at 2 p.m.
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\n\t\t\tD2CCA TIP-OFF CLASSIC
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\n\t\t\tOPPONENT
\n\t\t\tLOCATION
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\n\t\t\tAdams St.
\n\t\t\tSt. Joseph, Mo.
\n\t\t\tSat. Nov. 1
\n\t\t\t3 p.m.
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\nUNOFFICIALLY UNDERWAY
\nLubbock Christian opened their season with a Oct. 23 preseason exhibition contest in Austin, Texas, as LCU showed early poise before falling 102-44 to No. 4 Texas at Moody Center. The Lady Chaps briefly led 4-3 before Texas used its size and depth to pull away, highlighted by 33 offensive rebounds and 38 free-throw attempts. Freshman Meg Meekins<\/a> paced LCU with nine points and three assists, while Raegan Lee<\/a> added seven points. LCU scored 20 points in the paint and had nine players reach the scoring column. The matchup served as LCU’s lone exhibition game.
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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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\nWHO 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 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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\nFAMILIAR TOURNAMENT
\nThe D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, hosted by the St. Joseph Sports Commission, is regarded as one of NCAA Division II’s premier season-opening tournaments. LCU is making its fifth straight appearance in a D2CCA event, having previously hosted in 2023. West Texas A&M hosted in 2024, the MIAA staged the 2022 edition in Kansas City, Mo., and Montana State Billings hosted in 2021. LCU opens against Adams State \u2014 a team they edged 69-65 in the 2023 Classic LCU hosted \u2014 before closing the weekend Nov. 2 against Missouri Western.
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\nREADY FOR ANOTHER SEASON
\nThe season will mark\u00a0Steve Gomez<\/a><\/a>“s 23rd season leading the Lady Chaparrals. The Lady Chaps have posted 553 wins and 157 losses under his guidance, which includes the accomplishment of three NCAA Division II national championships and a NCAA Division II record 113-game win streak in home contests.
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\nSEASON OPENERS
\nLCU is probably more known for how they finish the season, than how they begin the season. The Lady Chaps are 10-8 over their last 18 season openers. LCU opened last season with an 64-41 win over Kutztown in Canyon, Texas (Nov 2, 2024). LCU is 30-16 all-time and 14-8 under head coach\u00a0Steve Gomez<\/a><\/a>\u00a0in openers.
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\nFIVE THINGS ABOUT ASU
\n1 > Adams State enters the new season receiving 24 votes in the WBCA NCAA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, following a 19\u201312 campaign and a second straight NCAA South Central Regional appearance in 2024\u201325. The Grizzlies’ presence in the poll highlights their growing national respect under head coach Mario Caetano, now in pursuit of the program’s first RMAC championship.
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\n2 > Sophomore forward Taejhuan Hill headlines Adams State’s returners after a breakout freshman season that included 17 double-doubles, ranking 7th nationally among all NCAA Division II players. She averaged 13.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while posting 11 straight double-doubles to close last year. Hill was named Preseason All-RMAC and was featured by the NCAA as one of nine Division II forwards to watch entering 2025\u201326.
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\n3 > Adams State enters the new season receiving 24 votes in the WBCA NCAA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, following a 19\u201312 campaign and a second straight NCAA South Central Regional appearance in 2024\u201325. The Grizzlies’ presence in the poll highlights their growing national respect under head coach Mario Caetano, now in pursuit of the program’s first RMAC championship.
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\n4 > The Grizzlies return four players from last year’s roster, including three starters \u2014 Hill, Kiiyani Anitielu, and Elaina Watson. Anitielu started 29 games in 2024\u201325, averaging 9.8 points, while Watson returns from a medical redshirt after starting 11 contests before her injury. The trio’s leadership provides the backbone for a team blending experience and new talent.
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\n5 > Coach Caetano added six transfers and two freshmen, creating one of the most athletic Adams State rosters in years. Notable newcomers include Ashiian Hunter (Mesa CC All-American), Brooklyn Long (Oklahoma Christian), and Brya Brooklyn (Daytona State). With eight upperclassmen on the 12-player roster, the Grizzlies boast a veteran group built for immediate impact.
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\nTHE SERIES AGAINST ASU
\nLCU (6-0 all-time against ASU) and Adams State last played each other in 2023, when LCU hosted the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic. In the contest, LCU edged the Grizzlies 69-65 inside Rip Griffin Center (Nov. 5, 2023 and marks as the only meeting between the only meeting in Lubbock between the two programs ). Prior to that meeting, you have to go back to Nov. 21, 2008 in Alamosa, Colo, as the two teams competed at the Adams State Bankers Classic on November 21, 2008 (ASU was known as Adams State College in that meeting). LCU carried a No.15 NAIA national ranking into the contest and won 60-57. The 2008 meeting was the last of three consecutive trips (over three seasons) to the Bankers Classic. The first all-time meeting resulted in a 74-46 LCU win on Dec. 6, 1999 in Silver City, N.M., (was the first of two neutral site meetings, as they met in 2006 in Durango, Colo.).
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\nPRIOR MEETING AGAINST ASU
\nLubbock, Texas (Nov. 5, 2023) – LCU 69 \u2013 ASU 65
\nLubbock Christian overcame a late charge from Adams State to earn a 69\u201365 win in their final game of the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic. Grace Foster<\/a> led the Lady Chaps with 28 points and eight rebounds, setting a Rip Griffin Center record by going 13-for-13 from the free-throw line. Maci Maddox<\/a> added 14 points, four assists, and three steals, while Shaylee Stovall<\/a> scored 11 points and was perfect on 8-for-8 free throws.
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\nLCU shot 46.7% from three-point range (7-for-15) and forced 19 Adams State turnovers, converting them into 20 points. The Lady Chaps led 39\u201331 at halftime before Adams State rallied to tie the game 50\u201350 entering the fourth quarter. A quick 6\u20130 run early in the final frame helped LCU regain control, and Stovall’s free throws sealed the win in the final seconds.
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\nLCU’s 22-for-23 (95.7%) team performance at the line ranks among their best since 2008. Foster’s effort marked her 15th career 20-point game, as LCU was debuting their red road uniforms at home.
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