GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – After remaining perfect at home all season the Mavericks suffered their first home loss Saturday night to Lubbock Christian in the South Central Regional Semifinal game. The final scored read 56-53 but there were 11 lead changes and 10 ties to reach that score. Neither team led by more than six point in tonight's battle.
The Mavericks season ended with a 27-4 record which is the third most wins in program history. The Mavericks' program history NCAA Tournament record is now 6-5.
They finished the year 17-1 at home when playing in front of Brownson Arena fans who averaged to be over 1,000 a game.
In her final game as a Mav Jaylyn Duran knocked down two three-pointers for a season total of 98 which is second best in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference history and first in CMU history. Her total of 96 from last season is third best in the RMAC record book. As one of the best shooters in Maverick history she owns the single season record with 98 and career record with 265 three-pointers.
The Mavericks shot 36.7 percent (18-of-49) from the field and 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from the three-point line. The Mavericks shot 78.6 percent (11-of-14) from the free throw line. Kylyn Rigsby led the way for the Mavericks with 12 points, but it was the Maverick bench that gave CMU sparks throughout the game. The Maverick reserves outscored the Chaps bench 19-4. Ten of those 19 points came from Danielle Turner as she went 5-of-7 from the field.
The Chaps shot 40.0 percent (16-of-40) from the field and just 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from the three-point line. LCU shot 32 free throws and converted on 23 of those attempts for a 71.9 shooting percentage. They were led by Olivia Robertson who went 10-of-12 from the free throw line and 5-of-9 from the field goal for a total of 20 points.
Game in Review
The Mavericks got out to an 8-3 lead at the first media timeout of the game with Rigsby connecting for five points. There was two more ties before the Chaps took a 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Mavericks took the lead back with a three-pointer from Rigsby, but it was quickly taken right back by the Chaps as they went on to an 8-2 run to hold a 20-15 lead with 6:03 remaining. Sierra McNicol and Danielle Turner combined for the Mavericks' final ten points of the second quarter to give themselves a 26-23 lead at the break.
Coming out of the locker room Sydni Brandon hit two free throws. The Chaps answered with seven straight points to take a 31-28 lead at the media timeout. There was two more lead changes before the end of the third quarter but the Chaps had a one point edge entering the final stretch.
In the final quarter to determine who would advance to the South Central Regional Final there were four lead changes and three ties. The game was tied 45-45 with 5:56 remaining and then against tied at 53-53 with 2:20 remaining in regulation. After this point their center Maddi Chitsey scored a layup to give them a two point lead. The Mavericks committed two turnovers in the final ten seconds and the Chaps leading scorer made a final free throw to reach the final score of 56-53.
