LUBBOCK, Texas – The Union University women’s basketball team defeated Lubbock Christian University 87-78 Friday night to open the 2023-24 season. Union, ranked No. 17 in the WBCA and D2CSC Preseason rankings, won its season opener for the 42nd straight season.
Lubbock Christian, the 2016, 2029, and 2021 NCAA D2 National Champions, are receiving votes in the preseason polls.
This game also marked the first meeting between the two teams since both made the jump to NCAA D2 in 2012-13. Union and Lubbock Christian met twice while NAIA members, both coming in the NAIA National Tournament in Jackson, Tenn. In the most recent meeting, Union defeated Lubbock Christian 79-62 in the 2006 NAIA National Championship Game. Union also won a national tournament first round meeting in 2005, 77-55.
Lubbock Christian scored first in the game, taking an early 4-0 lead. Union opened the game with three 3-pointers, two from Lauren West and one from Leah Cauble. Union had tied the game 9-9. Union took its first lead with a pair of free throws from Jasalyn Anousihn. Another Union 3-pointer, this one from Macy Lee and Union was up 14-9 and never looked back. Union scored 32 first quarter points to lead 32-20 at the end of the first 10 minutes.
Union shot 69 percent from the field and 78 percent (7-9) from 3-point range in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Union pushed its lead to as many as 14 points before settling for a 44-36 lead at the break.
Union opened the third quarter with a 14-2 run to take its largest lead of the night, 58-38 with 7:44 left in the third. Union led 69-57 at the end of three quarter. Union led by as many as 16 points early in the fourth and held an 11 point lead with 39 seconds left. A late bucket by LCU cut the final to 87-78.
Union was led by Macey Lee with 19 points, including 3-of-4 from long range. Shanique Lucas, named preseason All-GSC earlier this week, added 18 points, while West scored 15 points on five 3-pointers. Eleven players scored in the game for Union. The Lady Bulldogs shot 49 percent from the field, 48 percent (12-25) from long range, and 76 percent (19-25) from the free throw line.
Lubbock Christian was led by Maci Maddox and Grace Foster with 16 points each. Audrey Robertson added 12 points. The Chaps shot 52 percent from the field, 20 percent (2-10) from 3-point range, and 71 percent (20-28) from the free throw line.
Up next for Union will be the second of two games in the 2023 D2CCA Tipoff Classic Saturday at 5 p.m. versus Colorado-Pueblo.
