#4 DBU (15-2, 9-2) vs. Lubbock Christian (14-5, 9-2)
January 26 | 3:00 p.m. | Lubbock, TX| Rip Griffin Center
MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE
Video: LSC Digital Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @DBUBasketball
Facebook: DBU Athletics
COUNTDOWN TO TIP-OFF
On Thursday, No. 4 DBU suffered its second loss of the season at the hands of No. 1 West Texas A&M, 93-79, in Canyon, Texas. A strong second-half performance from the Buffs that saw them outscore the Patriots 36-24 over the final 14-and-a-half minutes proved the difference and kept DBU from gaining momentum in the second half.
Both squads came off the opening tip ready to battle in a much-anticipated match-up between two of the nation's top programs, but WT quickly grabbed the lead with a 6-0 advantage and held on for the entirety of the first half. DBU would trim the lead to two on multiple occasions, but the Buffs maintained their grip on the game and eventually went on an 8-0 run to go up by double-digits with 9:38 left until the break. The Patriots struggled to find an offensive rhythm the rest of the way and trailed by nine going into the half.
Down 45-36 to start the second period, a Kahn jumper would cut the Buffs lead to two. WT answered with an 18-2 run over five minutes, extending their lead to 18. The Buffs kept DBU outside arm's reach for the bulk of the half, even as the Patriots opened up a 7-0 run with 7:03 left to play. Despite the late surge, DBU could not complete a comeback and ultimately fell to the Buffs, 93-79.
On Saturday, the Patriots will continue their schedule in Lubbock, Texas, against Lubbock Christian.
PATRIOT STORYLINES
- DBU is ranked as high as No. 4 in the NABC Coaches Poll and is ranked in all three national polls.
- DBU ranks first in the LSC and ninth in the nation in steals, averaging 10.9 per game. The Patriots lead the conference and rank sixth in the nation for scoring offenses (92.8).
- Defensively, DBU ranks first in the LSC and fifth in the nation in turnovers forced per game (21.13).
- Cameron Kahn ranks second in the conference points per game, averaging 20.9. Khan was recently named on Bevo Francis's Top 100 Watch List.
- Deng Dut leads the Patriots in assists. Dut is currently ranked tenth in the conference in assists per game.
-Ta'Jay Dunlap and
Ricky Lujan lead DBU in steals and are ranked second in the conference for their steals per game.
SCOUTING LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN
- Lubbock Christian defeated UT Tyler 68-52 Thursday in their ninth conference win.
- The Chaps rank first in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.60)
- Lubbock Christian ranks first in the conference in three-pointers per game (10.7). The Chaps also rank second in the conference and fourth in the nation for their three-point percentage (41.6).
- Tiras Morton leads the conference in free throws (101), ranks second in blocks (27), and ranks third in double-doubles (8). Morton leads Lubbock Christian with blocks (28), total rebounds (162) and points (314).
- Ethan Duncan leads the conference in total three-point FGM (63) and three-pointers per game (3.50).
- Najeeb Muhammad leads the Chaps in steals (27) and assists (76).
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots lead the all-time series, 10-7. Lubbock Christian defeated DBU 73-69 in their last matchup at the Burg Center on January 21, 2023. This will be their 18th matchup since the Patriots defeated the Chaps 61-59 on December 12, 2013.
UP NEXT
On Thursday, the Patriots will travel to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to face Oklahoma Christian. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
