GCU looks to defend home record as they welcome No.13 Washington

Thursday, December 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

Washington

GCU looks to defend home record as they welcome No.13 Washington

11/30/2016 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

GCU Game Notes GCU Game Notes Washington Game Notes

By: Imani Suber

THURSDAY, DEC. 1
7 p.m. MST \| GCU Arena \| Phoenix, Ariz.
GRAND CANYON LOPES 3-3 (0-0 WAC) Stats .pdf Link GAME NOTES	VS	WASHINGTON HUSKIES 6-1 (0-0 PAC 12) Stats .pdf Link GAME NOTES
HOW TO FOLLOW Live Video Stream WAC Digital Network \| Live Stats \| @GCU_WBB

The Grand Canyon women's basketball program returns to GCU Arena for a three-game stint which includes No. 13 Washington on Thursday, Dec. 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.

The Lopes look to bounce back from a tough road loss at UC Riverside on Tuesday night and to defend their perfect 3-0 mark at home. GCU will also face its first ranked opponent this season and second squad that appeared in the 2015-16 NCAA Tournament. Last season, Washington was a Final Four finalist.

Last time Out
The GCU women's basketball team fell to UCR 77-64 Tuesday night. GCU came out on fire in the first half outscoring the Highlanders 16-12 and shooting 55.2 percent from the field. Although the Lopes had their most productive first half performance since the season opener against Alcorn State, GCU struggled to match the Highlanders intensity on both sides of the court in the second half and were shut down offensively. GCU opened up the contest with intensity and aggressiveness rattling off 40 points in the first half and forcing eight turnovers that were converted into 11 points for the Lopes. Marina Laramie dominated putting up 20 points in the first half to help the Lopes achieve a 40-20 advantage heading into the second half.

The second half told a different story as GCU let the Highlanders back in the game in the third quarter after engineering a 20-8 run to take the advantage at 50-48. The Lopes had opportunities, but failed to maintain the press allowing UCR's offense to thrive. In a physical final frame, the Highlanders turned up their intensity as they put together a 14-0 run rendering the Lopes scoreless until the 2:26 minute mark when Casey Rarrick ended the drought. Down by 14, the Lopes wouldn't go quietly scoring on four straight possessions to improve the score to 74-64 and come within 10. Unfortunately, the Highlanders' aggressive defense matched by their offensive execution allowed them to control the remaining minutes and left the outcome at 77-64.

GCU STARTING FIVE

1) GCU's Casey Rarrick has put together consecutive double digit scoring marks against Idaho (20) and last night at UCR (10). Rarrick tallied her third 10+ game of the year. Marina Laramie leads GCU with four double digit contests, while Rarrick sits at second and Zelor Massaquoi sits at third with a pair of 10+ rebounding outings.

2) This season, the Lopes have engineered two contests where they have averaged 50.0 percent or more from the field in a half. At UC Riverside, GCU totaled a 55.2 percent scoring percentage, with a 56.3 mark in the first quarter and a 53.8 percent showing in the second quarter. Against Alcorn State, GCU put together a 56.0 percent performance in its first half of the 2016-17 campaign.

3) The Lopes are making their presence known in the WAC statistical categories. With five Lopes sitting in the top-3 in the conference in their respective categories GCU continues to improve on the court. Laramie currently occupies the second spot in the conference with 18.3 points per game, while Massaquoi sits at second with 9.2 boards per game. Rarrick is third in 3-point field goals made with 2.8 per game, while Aniya Baker is second in steals averaging 3.2 per game. Laura Marcos-Canedo is second in the league with 4.8 assists per game.

4) GCU has been consistent from long range on the young season, with 48 of its 135 total field goals from beyond the arc, the Lopes have shown confidence in the category. GCU outscored the Highlanders 8-to-7 in the category and totaled the third most 3's in a game this season. The Lopes are currently second in the WAC in 3-point field goals made and tallied a team-high 13 in the season opener against Alcorn State.

5) The Lopes have done well in the turnover category this season. With a + 1.5 turnover ratio GCU's defense has caused problems for its opponents. GCU has averaged 17.3 takeaways thus far and has netted 94 points off turnovers this year. Against Riverside, the Lopes forced 14 turnovers and tallied 18 points off UCR's mistakes. They currently sit in third place in the WAC in the category.

Washington Notables
The No. 13 Huskies are currently 6-1 on the year with their lone loss to No. 1 Notre Dame. Washington is currently averaging 88.9 points per game with 44.0 boards per game. Kelsey Plum leads Washington and the NCAA with 29.9 points per game and Chantel Osahor also leads the Huskies with 14.7 rebounds per contest.

In their last outing, the Huskies defeated Portland 83-53. Although Portland put up a solid fight, Washington's offense was too overpowering for the Pilots holding them to just 15 points in the first half. In the third, Washington began to rain down 3's to extend its lead and secure the victory. Plum led the team with 26 points and Osaho engineered her sixth straight double double with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

GCU will meet Washington for the first time in program history on Thursday.

Up Next
Following Thursday's contest the Lopes will continue their home swing as they welcome Florida Atlantic to GCU Arena on Sunday, Dec. 4. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MST.