Box Score LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 20, 2018) – The final score might not have been indicative of it, but Oklahoma Christian gave No. 3-ranked Lubbock Christian (Texas) one of its toughest challenges of the basketball season on Saturday afternoon.

OC held a six-point lead over the mighty Chaparrals in the first quarter, but Lubbock Christian pulled away through the second and third quarters and held on for a 78-64 win inside the Rip Griffin Center.

The winning margin for Lubbock Christian (17-1, 6-0 Heartland Conference) was its second-lowest this season against a league opponent, and that six-point deficit was the largest faced by the Chaparrals all season except for their lone loss, to No. 1-ranked Ashland (Ohio). LCU had entered Saturday's game with an average winning margin of 21.2 points, ninth-best in NCAA Division II.

OC (5-13, 1-5) hit 25 of 70 field-goal attempts (35.7 percent), and the 25 made baskets were three more than LCU's last two opponents, Rogers State and St. Edward's (Texas), had combined in lopsided losses to the Chaparrals. The Lady Eagles had four players score in double figures, led by freshman forward Katie Mayo with 13 points.

A 9-2 run by OC that included three baskets by Mayo put OC up 14-8 with 3:18 left in the first quarter. The Lady Eagles very nearly became only the second team (besides Ashland) to lead Lubbock Christian after the first quarter, but the Chaparrals used a 9-2 run to pull ahead 17-16, then scored the first six points of the second quarter.

OC was within eight points at 37-29 after a three-point play by freshman guard Maddison Collyer with 1:28 left in the second quarter, but the Chaparrals extended their lead to 42-29 by halftime.

Foul trouble kept Mayo scoreless in the second half, taking away what had been OC's primary offensive weapon, and the Chaparrals took advantage. LCU led 69-46 after three quarters and saw its advantage peak at 72-46 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Still, the Lady Eagles fought back to outscore Lubbock Christian 18-6 the rest of the way, with senior Audrey Hayes scoring seven of her 11 points in the final quarter. The Lady Eagles got close enough that the Chaparrals re-inserted a couple of starters back into the game, just to make sure they hung onto the lead.

Collyer scored 12 points for OC while Addy Clift added 10. Reigning Heartland player of the year Tess Bruffey led the Chaparrals with 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Guard Caitlyn Cunyas had 16 points and five assists while Maddi Chitsey added 12 points for Lubbock Christian.

OC's five-game road swing will continue next Saturday afternoon with a game at Newman (Kan.).