TYLER, Texas -- UT Tyler featured three double-figure scorers off the bench in its first game of the New Year, but Lubbock Christian had a pair of 20-point scorers in its starting lineup as the Chaparrals posted an 80-64 win over the Patriots in the first game of a two-game Lone Star Conference weekend series Saturday evening.
Darius Alford provided 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting in 31 minutes of action off the bench to lead UT Tyler. However, Lubbock Christian got a game-high 24 points out of Parker Hicks and a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double from Rowan Mackenzie to lead LCU to the road win.
With the loss, UT Tyler drops to 1-3 overall and 0-3 in Lone Star Conference play, while Lubbock Christian remains unbeaten on the year at 3-0 overall and in the LSC.
Turning Point: Lubbock Christian built a 36-29 halftime edge, and the Chaparrals maintained a lead between 6-10 points through the first six minutes of the second half. However, Soloman Thomas hit a three-pointer and followed it with a steal on the ensuing defensive possession which led to a Darius Alford layup that slashed the lead in half to just five points, 48-43. Thomas then answered a Cameron Copley three-pointer with a trey of his own, keeping the Patriots within five points of LCU at 51-46 with 12:53 left in the game. Another Alford layup just over a minute later made it 53-48 before the Chaparrals scored the next 9 points to push the lead back into double digits.
How It Happened: Lubbock Christian shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, taking a 36-29 halftime lead behind 16 first-half points from Rowan Mackenzie. Neither team led by five points in the first 10 minutes of the contest, but LCU made the first big move of the game by scoring 8 consecutive points to extend a 13-12 lead into a 21-12 margin with 8:54 to play in the half.
The Chaparrals led by as many as 12 points in the first half, the last time at 33-21 before UT Tyler scored the next 8 points to trim the lead to 33-29 with 1:44 left. Parker Hicks answered the run with a three-pointer with 50 seconds left, sending LCU into halftime with a seven-point edge, 36-29.
Lubbock Christian's lead went between 6-10 points to start the second half until UT Tyler cut the lead to five points three times in a span of less than two minutes midway through the second half. That's when LCU pulled away with a 9-0 run, extending the lead to 62-48 with 8:43 left. The Chaparrals led by at least nine points the rest of the way.
UT Tyler Standouts: Darius Alford was the Patriots' leading scorer, hitting 6-of-12 from the field to finish with 15 points. Emanuel Gant registered a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, and Gant also produced team-highs of 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Micah Fuller added 11 points, and Soloman Thomas and Roche Grootfaam finished with 9 points each.
Lubbock Christian Standouts: Parker Hicks scored 17 of his game-high 24 points after halftime, and Rowan Mackenzie provided 16 first-half points en route to a 22-point effort to help lead Lubbock Christian. Cameron Copley added 11 points to go with a game-high 8 assists, and Lloyd Daniels finished with 10 points to give LCU double-digit scorers.
By The Numbers: Lubbock Christian shot exactly 50 percent from the field in both halves, finishing the game 27-for-54 overall and 5-for-19 (.263) from three-point range… UT Tyler was exactly 12-for-29 in both halves, as well, finishing the game at 41 percent (24-for-58) including an 18 percent (4-for-22) clip from three-point range… UT Tyler produced a 46-8 edge in bench scoring, and the Patriots also generated a 13-5 edge in fast break scoring… LCU posted a 43-23 rebounding margin, which led to a 13-7 advantage in second chance points.
What's Next: UT Tyler hosts Lubbock Christian again Sunday at 5:30 p.m., to wrap up the two-game Lone Star Conference weekend series.
