LAKEWOOD, CO- Colorado Christian opened their season at home on Friday evening as they took on Lubbock Christian at the CCU Event Center. The two teams battled to the end of regulation and into overtime, but in the end the Lady Chaps came away with the narrow victory by a final score of 67-62. 

The excitement was palpable inside the tin shed as CCU tipped off their season. Maggie Phipps and Dasiya Jones got things started early as they helped their team to an early 5-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Nicole Bowlin took over for a stretch as she tallied a pair of layups. At the end of the first quarter, CCU led by a score of 18-14. 

Bowlin hit consecutive threes in the second as she tied things at 27. Victoria Perez hit a late jumper, and the teams went to the break with the Cougars leading 35-32. 

The defenses for both teams buckled down in the third quarter, and shots and points were more difficult to come by. The Lady Chaps went on a run to take a 46-44 lead into the fourth quarter as the game remained tightly contested. 

The two teams remained close throughout the fourth, and Maggie Hutka drilled a clutch three with two minutes to go to tie the game at 51 apiece. After LCU opened up a six point lead, Bowlin and Hutka responded by drilling two clutch threes , including Hutka's with 20 seconds remaining. The Lady Chaps missed their final shot as the game went to overtime tied at 57-57. 

Bowlin started the overtime period with a bucket to tie the game back up, but eventually the visitors pulled ahead by three late. Unfortunately, CCU could not hit their final shot as LCU claimed the 67-62 victory. 

It was a good start to the season for the Cougars despite the tough loss as many players showed a lot of good things on the court. Bowlin was stellar throughout, posting 19 points while Hutka followed with 11. Hutka also led in rebounds with eight, while Agnes Paul pulled down seven. Victoria Perez led the team in assists on the night with four. 

Colorado Christian will be back in action on November 11 at home as they take on UT Tyler at home at 3 p.m. MST.