OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 3, 2016) – Oklahoma Christian and Lubbock Christian (Texas) are sister universities with a common mission, so when a Lubbock Christian volleyball player went down with a life-altering condition, it just made sense that OC students would want to do something to help.

They will do so by hosting a fundraiser on Thursday, when LCU's basketball teams will visit the Eagles' Nest for a Heartland Conference doubleheader. The women's game will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game, which will start about 7:30 p.m.

OC student-athletes will host a half-court shot contest and a free-throw competition, and OC's social service clubs also are engaging in a competition to see which one can raise the most money for LCU volleyball player Malori Maddox and her family. Donation buckets will be distributed throughout the stands to allow fans to contribute as well.

Maddox, a redshirt sophomore, began experiencing pain in the front of her head just before she lost vision in her right eye during a volleyball match on Nov. 10 against Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. Her parents could tell something wasn't right and immediately rushed to her side when she started crying.

After arriving at the hospital, doctors found bleeding in Maddox's brain and rushed her into a five-hour surgery. She spent two weeks in intensive care, then was transferred to another room for a week, where she was able to start breathing and eating on her own.

Maddox, who was featured last month on NBC's Today Show, since has been released from the hospital and is recovering in her hometown of Dallas. She and her family attended Lubbock Christian's men's basketball game against Texas-Permian Basin on Jan. 21, where they were presented with a check for more than $8,900, raised by members of LCU's athletic family.

It's not known yet whether Maddox will be able to play volleyball again, but she is making progress in her physical therapy and has learned again how to walk on her own.

Her story has touched many in the NCAA Division II athletic community, including at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where her brother Peyton plays baseball and he and his teammates shaved their heads in solidarity with Maddox, whose long blonde hair was a casualty of her surgery.

It also has inspired players and coaches at Oklahoma Christian, which has shared a conference with Lubbock Christian for more than 20 years – first in the NAIA's Sooner Athletic Conference and now in Division II's Heartland Conference. Both universities are affiliated with churches of Christ.

Rob McKinzie, an assistant men's basketball coach at OC, said the team is looking forward to offering support for Maddox and her family.

"It is inspiring to see rivals come together to compete for a good cause," McKinzie said. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Maddox family and the LCU community."

OC basketball player Luis Lopez said he believes the OC community will be generous in its support of Maddox.

"As an athlete, Malori's story made my heart sink," Lopez said. "It could have happened to any of us. I hope our team can support her and people will come out and help in any way they can." 

LCU has used the social media hashtags PrayForMalori and PlayForMalori in telling Maddox's story, and OC's athletic department posts on Thursday also will do so, to show solidarity with the Eagles' friends at LCU.

Those interested in learning more about Malori's fight can go to www.facebook.com/PrayForMalori .