By: Everett Corder (everett.corder@lcu.edu)
NO. 8 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (26-4, 17-3 LSC)
vs. ST. EDWARD’S (24-7, 13-7 LSC)
Thursday, March 5 – Noon
Rip Griffin Center (Lubbock, Texas)
The Game
Lubbock Christian University’s journey in the Lone Star Conference begins this Saturday as they face St. Edward’s. The game kicks off at noon at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. Lubbock Christian wrapped up a strong regular season, securing second place alongside Eastern New Mexico. However, they are positioned as the No. 3 seed due to a tiebreaker against ENMU. The Chaps are riding high on a six-game winning streak and have clinched 10 wins in their last 11 games.
Playoff History
This marks LCU’s seventh consecutive entry in the LSC Championship. They’ve consistently been a top contender, securing a top four seed for the second year in a row. Last season, they made it to the championship game before falling to the No. 1 seed, DBU. Historically, they’ve met St. Edward’s in the first round of the tournament five times. Overall, the Chaps hold an 8-6 record in LSC tournament play. Their last conference tournament win was in 2001, showcasing their long journey back to postseason success.
Player Achievements
Four players from Lubbock Christian earned accolades this postseason, including Player of the Year, Amondo Miller Jr., and Newcomer of the Year, Antonio Pusateri. Miller’s achievement marks the fourth time an LCU player has won this title since 2021. Both Miller and Pusateri made the All-Conference First Team, while Kendall Dow and Lucas Mercandino also made notable appearances on the Second and Third Teams, respectively.
Team Rankings
Lubbock Christian is currently ranked No. 8 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 poll. Their ranking reflects a consistently strong performance throughout the season, with only three teams from the Lone Star Conference making the cut. LCU has faced seven ranked opponents and has a commendable 5-2 record against them.
Performance Stats
As a team, Lubbock Christian is shooting 50.6 percent from the field, putting them sixth in the nation. They also excel in three-point shooting, currently ranking seventh in Division II with a 39.4 percent success rate from beyond the arc. Notably, both Dow and Pusateri are leading the charge, showcasing impressive shooting percentages that contribute significantly to the team’s success.
Rebounding Strength
In terms of rebounding, LCU averages 36.2 rebounds per game. Remarkably, they’ve out-rebounded opponents in 20 of their 30 games this season. Pusateri is among the best in the nation, ranking sixth in rebounds per game, highlighting his pivotal role in the Chaps’ success.
Minutes Played
On the endurance front, three of LCU’s starters are logging significant minutes each game. Miller leads the team in this category, with Dow and Pusateri closely following. Despite injuries affecting some key players, the starters have maintained high performance levels throughout the season.
About St. Edward’s
St. Edward’s enters the tournament as the No. 7 seed, boasting a solid 24-7 record. However, they’ve stumbled recently, losing three of their last four games. Notably, Blake Nielsen is a standout player for the Hilltoppers, ranking third in the LSC with an average of 18.3 points per game.
Historical Matchup
In their historical rivalry, Lubbock Christian leads the series against St. Edward’s 25-12, with the two teams meeting frequently in the LSC Tournament. The Chaps have won the last three encounters, including their most recent face-off in 2024.
As Lubbock Christian gears up for this critical matchup, they aim to leverage their momentum and experience to make a strong playoff run. Every game counts and fans are eager to see how this story unfolds.
