Lopes host NAU in final home game of 2016

Monday, December 19

Phoenix, Ariz.

12:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

Northern Arizona

12/18/2016 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

GCU Game Notes NAU Game Notes

By: Imani Suber

MONDAY, DEC. 19
12:00 p.m. MST \| GCU Arena \| Phoenix, Ariz.
GRAND CANYON LOPES 6-4 (0-0 WAC) Stats .pdf Link GAME NOTES	VS	NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS 4-5 (0-0 BIG SKY) Stats .pdf Link GAME NOTES
HOW TO FOLLOW Live Video Stream GCU TV \| Live Stats \| @GCU_WBB

The Grand Canyon women's basketball program returns to GCU Arena to host its final home contest before the new year as they welcome in-state foe Northern Arizona to Phoenix on Monday, Dec. 20. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MST.

GCU will look to continue its winning ways after picking up its third-straight win at Southern Utah Friday night and defend its 5-1 home record.

Last time Out
GCU picked up its third-straight win Friday night as they defeated Southern Utah 76-73 in a thriller in Centrum Arena. The Lopes had four score in double figures led by a 21 point, 11 rebound performance from junior Zelor Massaquoi. In the gritty and physical contest, the Lopes took the early advantage in the first quarter extending its lead to six after outscoring the Thunderbirds 21-16 and rendering SUU scoreless for over two minutes to hold the lead. In the second, the Thunderbirds came roaring back putting together a comeback performance that outscored GCU 20-14 to take the lead off a layup at the buzzer at 36-35 at the half.

It all came down to the final frame as contributions from each Lope made the difference as five different players made field goals throughout the quarter and five turnovers were forced. After three lead changes in the period, the T-Bird's tied the game up at 70-70. As the game came down to the final seconds, Massaquoi knocked down two free throws giving GCU the slight edge at 72-70 at the 57 second mark. With the T-Birds in possession, Massaquoi heroically pulled down the final board drawing a foul in the process. She knocked down two more free throws to give GCU a four point lead at 74-70 with 11 seconds on the clock.

While GCU seemed to have the game under control, SUU drained a triple with eight seconds left to keep the Lopes on their heels. But a pair of Casey Rarrick free throws sealed the deal as they edged out the Thunderbirds in a 76-73 outcome.

GCU STARTING FIVE

1. The Lopes had four players score in double-figures for the second this season in its victory over SUU. Massaquoi led with 21 points, while Rarrick posted 18 points followed by Jessica Gajewski's 11 points and Laura Marcos-Canedo's 10. They combined for 60 of GCU's 76 points.

2. Junior Zelor Massaquoi recorded her second career double double and first of the season with 21 points and 11 boards against SUU. Her performance marked the seventh double double this season. She is the fourth Lope to achieve the feat.

3. The Lopes are currently tied with Michigan for the 31st spot in the nation with an average of 8.4 3-point field goals made per game on the year. GCU drained 12 triples (12-of-25) against SUU, tying its season-high for the third time. They outscored the T-Birds 12-to-7 in the category.

4. The Lopes will also meet their second-straight Big Sky opponent and third Big Sky foe this season. GCU is currently undefeated against Big Sky opponents this year with wins over Idaho (64-60) and Southern Utah (76-73).

5. With five Lopes sitting in the top-3 in the WAC in their respective categories and three Lopes leading the conference in scoring, rebounds and assist/turnover ratio, GCU continues to impress on the court. Laramie continues to lead the conference with 20.6 points per game, while Massaquoi has a WAC leading 8.8 boards per game. Marcos-Canedo now sits atop the leader boards with a 2.3 assist/turnover ratio allowing just 15 turnovers through 35 assists. Rarrick is third in 3-point field goals made with 26 and 2.6 per game, while Aniya Baker is third with 4.7 assists per game.

NAU Notables
The Lumberjacks are currently 4-5 on the year. NAU has lost two of its last four, with it most recent loss to New Mexico State (79-68) last Sunday.

The Lumberjacks are currently averaging 70.8 points per game with 41.4 boards per game. Rene Coggins leads in scoring with 17.6 points per game, while Brittani Lusain is the front runner on the squad with 8.3 boards per contest.

NAU fell to NMST 79-68 last Sunday. The 'Jacks put up a solid night after taking the advantage on the glass, 34-26, and using 15 offensive rebounds to garner 21-6 edge in second chance points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Aggies balanced attack on both sides of the court. Coggins led the charge for the Lumberjacks with 14 points on the night.

The Lopes and NAU will meet for the seventh time in program history and for the first time since the 1992-93 season when GCU defeated NAU. The Lopes will host NAU for the first time in program history on Monday. NAU currently leads the all-time series 5-1 going into Monday's contest.

Up Next
The Lopes will enjoy a six day holiday break, before heading to Hawaii for a five day two-game stint as they take on Hawaii on Thursday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. MST. The Lopes will conclude its trip in a New Year's Eve clash with Chaminade on Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. MST.