Lubbock Christian Looks to Extend Winning Streak Against Midwestern State
It’s been over a month since Lubbock Christian played at home. On Thursday at 7:30 p.m., they’ll face Midwestern State in Wichita Falls. Lubbock Christian is coming off five straight wins, including victories against ranked teams. Meanwhile, Midwestern State has lost its last five games.
Lubbock Christian’s defense has been impressive lately. They held St. Mary’s to just 30.6% shooting, their opponents’ lowest mark this season. The Chaps rank fourth in the Lone Star Conference for defensive shooting, with rivals hitting only 42% overall. They average 6.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game. Leo Nordberg stood out last week, recording five steals against St. Edward’s.
In terms of individual achievements, junior forward Antonio Pusateri was named Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week. This time, the honor comes after he scored an average of 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his last two games. Pusateri’s standout game saw him score a career-high 32 points against St. Edward’s.
Ranked No. 6 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll, Lubbock Christian is climbing the ranks. They received 300 points in this week’s poll and hold a strong record against ranked opponents—4-1 this season.
Rebounding is another area of strength for Lubbock Christian. They usually grab 37.6 rebounds per game, ranking sixth in the conference. Pusateri is leading the team and even holds the record for most rebounds in Division II this season with 176, as well as 10 double-doubles.
Lubbock Christian also excels in shooting. They are hitting 49.8% from the field, placing them 20th in the nation. Their effective field goal percentage is also impressive, standing at 57%. Pusateri leads in shooting accuracy, hitting 57.1% of his attempts.
From beyond the three-point line, Lubbock Christian shoots 39.4%, ranking them 18th in Division II. Kendall Dow stands out with 43.2% shooting, and the team matched a program record earlier this season with 20 three-pointers against Fort Lewis.
This season has seen Lubbock Christian play many games away from home. They are performing well, with a 4-1 record in true road games. They average 80.2 points while limiting opponents to 71.8.
Looking at Midwestern State, they are giving up an average of 81.6 points per game, one of the highest in the conference. They score 78.7 points on average, with five players hitting double figures. Head Coach Jon Trilli is in his first season after playing for Midwestern from 2009 to 2011.
The historical rivalry between these two teams dates back to 1972, with Midwestern State leading the all-time series 27-17. However, Lubbock Christian has won seven of the last ten meetings.
As both teams prepare for the game, the Chaps aim to keep their winning streak going against a struggling Mustangs squad.
For more on collegiate basketball and up-to-date stats, you can check the NCAA Women’s Basketball website.
Source link
