Tough ending: Lubbock Christian women's basketball falls in Elite Eight
PITTSBURGH – Steve Gomez has been through it all in his coaching career.
From building an NAIA team to a Division II powerhouse that has won three national championships.
With all of his experience, he also knows that sometimes it just isn't his team's night.
Lubbock Christian struggled from the 3-point line and Pittsburg State knocked down clutch free throws throughout the game as the Lady Chaps fell 66-55 in the NCAA Division II women's basketball Elite Eight on Monday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on the campus of Duquesne University.
“It was a good battle and a good job by them to win this game,” Gomez said., “It wasn't our night and the credit goes to them. I wouldn't trade the experience in that locker room for a trophy.”
Pittsburg State (33-3) moves on to the Final Four on Wednesday against powerhouse Grand Valley State, while Lubbock Christian ends the season 32-5.
The Gorillas raced out to a 17-11 lead in the first quarter and led 31-29 at the half. Each time the Chaps made a run, Pittsburg State made a big move in the paint or picked up a key rebound.
“Sometimes you get a good shot and don't make them and sometimes you try tougher shots and it doesn't go well,” Gomez said. “We just weren't at our best as far as sharpness and some of that is my fault. I appreciate our kids' hearts and they gave everything they had.”
Lubbock Christian cut the lead down to 49-44 with 8 minutes, 19 seconds left on a 3-point play by Grace Foster, but Pittsburg State held off the comeback attempt.
“I've been in awe of coach Gomez from afar and he runs a great program,” said Pittsburg State coach Amanda Davied. “We knew it would be a battle and we couldn't relax. They have two all-Americans and I think our regional really prepared us for this.”
Karenna Gerber scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for the Gorillas, while Grace Pyle had 16 points and Maycee James added 11.
Foster led Lubbock with 23 points, while Maddox and Audrey Robertson each had 11.
“We walked into LCU and we wanted to not only play basketball but be better people when we left and that's a testament to our coaches,” Maddox said.
Foster leaves LCU as the all-time scorer with more than 2,000 career points.
“I'll forget about those points by tomorrow, but it has been the greatest privilege to play with this team and lead them,” Foster said. “I think LCU did a lot more for me than I did for LCU.”
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lubbock Christian women's basketball falls in Elite Eight
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