GCU Basketball Essentials: Week 2

GCU Women
vs. Oral Roberts
Location: GCU Arena Buy Tickets
Date: Monday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. MT
Records: ORU 1-0, GCU 0-1

vs. Western State
Location: GCU Arena Buy Tickets
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. MT
Records: WSU 0-1, GCU 0-1

vs. Southern California (part of Hall of Fame Women's Challenge)
Location: Spokane, Wash.
Date: Sunday, Nov. 22, 5 p.m. MT
Records: USC 1-0, GCU 0-1

GCU Men
vs. Black Hills State
Location: GCU Arena Buy Tickets
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. MT
Records: BHSU 1-1, GCU 1-0

vs. Alcorn State
Location: GCU Arena Buy Tickets
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. MT
Records: ASU 0-0, GCU 1-0

Women: A busy week tips off on Monday as the Lopes shake off the season-opening loss with three games during Week 2. In total it will be five games in the next nine days heading into Week 3. The fast and furious stretch starts at home with contests on Monday and Thursday, before the Lopes head to the state of Washington for three games in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge. Thursday's game will be the annual Kid's Day game tipping at 10 a.m.

Men: Following up on their solid season-opening win, the Lopes remain at home for a pair of games this week as they take on Black Hills State on Tuesday followed by a Thursday matchup with Alcorn State. BHSU is averaging 78.5 points per game and will push the Lopes in a fast-paced contest, while ASU will be opening its regular season when it travels to Phoenix to play Grand Canyon. Last year, Alcorn State finished 6-25 on the season.

Women: In its season opener, GCU struggled in the first half slowing Hawaii's offense but started to find its rhythm after the halftime intermission. Following the break, the Lopes held the Rainbow Wahine to just 35.5 percent shooting, including only allowing one 3-pointer in the second half although Hawaii did hit 12-of-14 at the charity stripe.

Men: GCU got out to a strong start in its regular-season opener against Portland State as the Lopes held PSU to just 10-of-28 shooting in the first half, including allowing only one 3-pointer on nine attempts. After riding out to a 14-point halftime lead, GCU held on as the Vikings hit 53.3 percent from the floor in the second period.

Women: Despite coming off the bench, guard Zelor Massaquoi had one of the best all-around statistical games for the Lopes on Friday. A sophomore, Massaquoi hit 3-of-5 shots from the floor while posting five rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 17 minutes. Her six points were a career high and the five boards tied her career best, set three times last season.

Men: Speaking of career highs, sophomore guard De'Andre Davis lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 19 points against Portland State, the highest tally of his career brief collegiate career. Also a sophomore like Massaquoi, Davis led the Lopes in scoring after hitting 5-of-11 shots from the floor and going a perfect 9-of-9 at the free throw line. Davis filled the stat sheet by adding seven rebounds – two off his career best – with six assists against three turnovers, and three steals.

Women: The Lopes were strong in the opening half against Hawaii, hitting 9-of-10 attempts at the charity stripe and finished the game hitting 76.5 percent on the game. Newcomer Dana Jones, a senior transfer in her final year of eligibility, led the way by getting to the free-throw line six times where she converted five.

Men: Davis was perfect at the charity stripe on Friday, hitting all nine of his attempts for a stellar start to the season. Unfortunately, his performance wasn't even the best on his team. Fellow sophomore Joshua Braun one-upped Davis – literally – as he was 10-of-10 on free-throw attempts while posting a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Women: Four newcomers made their debut for the Lopes on Friday in the season opener, including forward Tanesha Daniels who was in the starting lineup against Hawaii. Daniels finished with four points and four rebounds. Also making their first career appearances for GCU were Dana Jones, who tied as the Lopes' high scorer with seven points, along with Alyx Bloom and Julieh Clark.

Men: If you were in the GCU Arena last Friday night, you certainly weren't alone. The place was packed for the start of coach Dan Majerle's third year on the bench as the attendance was listed at 7,249. That fan total marked the third consecutive home regular-season game with at least 7,000 fans in attendance, and the highest season-opening crowd since the building opened.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Alyx Bloom

Joshua Braun

Julieh Clark

Tanesha Daniels

De'Andre Davis

Dana Jones

Zelor Massaquoi

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