By: Everett Corder (everett.corder@lcu.edu)
Lubbock Christian vs. St. Edward’s
Thursday, January 2 – 7:30 p.m.
Recreation and Athletics Center (Austin, Texas)
After a brief holiday break, Lubbock Christian University is back in action. They will kick off the new year against St. Edward’s, both ranked in the top-25 nationally. LCU sits at 12-2 this season, facing tough opponents immediately as they return to Lone Star Conference play.
Star Player Alert
LCU’s Antonio Pusateri has been on fire. He recently earned the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor. In four games, he averaged 13 rebounds and 20 points per game, highlighting his skills with a season-high 21 rebounds. This marks the second time this season he’s received this award!
The Chaparrals are performing spectacularly when it comes to rebounding. Averaging 38.3 rebounds per game, they’re second in the conference. Pusateri leads Division II with 152 total rebounds so far, aiming to break LCU’s single-season record of 372 set back in 1991. Besides him, Amondo Miller Jr. excels as well, ranking seventh nationally in defensive rebounds.
Sharp Shooters
LCU is also dominating in shooting. Their team average is 49.9%, which places them 16th nationwide. Notably, their Effective Field Goal percentage of 57.1% reflects their strategic shooting, especially three-pointers. They shot 40.1% from beyond the arc, the 14th best in the entire Division II. Miller Jr. leads with a stellar 44.6% from three-point range.
Even with a 3-1 record recently, LCU dropped to No. 8 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 poll. They’ll need strong performances against St. Edward’s, who is currently ranked No. 13 and boasts an impressive 13-1 record.
Team Chemistry
The Chaparrals exhibit a solid assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.26, second in their conference. Led by Dow and Lucas Mercandino, both players have contributed equally with 46 assists this season. This teamwork has resulted in some impressive single-game totals, including 27 assists against Fort Lewis.
Looking Ahead
LCU has managed a 2-1 record in true road games this season. They average an impressive 82.3 points per game on the road. Some exciting matchups are on the horizon, but first, they’ll face the Hilltoppers.
Scouting St. Edward’s
– They’ve only lost once, against Western New Mexico.
– Their defense is solid, allowing just 63.6 points per game.
– Blake Nielsen leads with an average of 18.1 points per game.
– Although they shoot the most three-pointers in the conference, their shooting percentage sits at 32.2%.
Lubbock Christian and St. Edward’s have a long history, dating back to their first meeting in 1985. LCU has a strong upper hand at 24-12 in the all-time series. They’ve triumphed in six of the last seven encounters, including a noteworthy win last season.
This matchup promises to be a thrilling one. As the teams step onto the court, all eyes will be on how LCU continues to build on their impressive stats against a tough opponent.
