Lopes travel to Hawai'i for clash with Rainbow Wahine

Thursday, December 29

Manoa, HI

8:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Hawaii

12/28/2016 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

GCU Hawaii Notes GCU Game Notes Hawai'i Game Notes Hawai'i Notes

By: Imani Suber

THURSDAY, DEC. 29
8:30 p.m. MST \| Stan Sheriff Arena \| Manoa,Hawai'i
GRAND CANYON LOPES 7-4 (0-0 WAC) GAME NOTES	AT	HAWAI'I RAINBOW WAHINE 3-8 (0-0 BIG WEST) GAME NOTES
HOW TO FOLLOW Stream Hawaii All-Access \| Live Stats \| @GCU_WBB

The Grand Canyon women's basketball program will travel to beautiful Honolulu, Hawai'i to meet the University of Hawai'i on Thursday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. MST.

GCU will look to continue its winning ways after picking up its fourth-straight win at home against Northern Arizona. Thursday's contest marks the first of two games during the team's five day stay.

Last time Out
GCU collected its fourth-straight victory as they dropped in-state foe Northern Arizona 76-64 last Monday. GCU's defense refused to allow a Lumberjack field goal as NAU failed to score in the remaining 5:46 minutes of the game, allowing the Lopes to thrive on offense and claim the contest. In a first half that was primarily dominated by NAU, the Lopes trailed for the duration of the half despite outshooting NAU, going 40.6 percent from the field and out rebounding the 'Jacks 26-20. The Lopes put together a late second quarter spark with consecutive treys to come within three at 39-36 at the half.

The Lopes came out like a team possessed in the third quarter, shooting 90. 9 percent from the field led by Jessica Gajewski's go-ahead triple putting the Lopes up by one. She finished the quarter with 18 points going 4-for-6 and 7-of-10 in the period. After a 24-11 run the Lopes held their largest lead of the night at 64-55. In the final frame, NAU bounced back with a 7-2 run to come within one at 66-65. The 'Jacks scored their last field goal at the 5:17 minute mark, allowing GCU to net nine unanswered points and cruise to victory.

GCU STARTING FIVE

1. For the first time since transitioning to Division I action, two players produced 30-plus point games in the same season. Marina Laramie had a 31 point showing at Rice and a 30 point outing against Florida Atlantic. Gajewski notched her first after a 31 point performance against Northern Arizona. Both have come one shy of tying (32) the highest point total in a single season by a GCU player.

2. In her GCU debut, junior transfer Brie Mobley notched a team-leading and career-best 11 boards against the Lumberjacks.

3. The Lopes are currently tied for 31st in the NCAA with an average of 8.2 3-point field goals made per game on the year. GCU drained seven triples against NAU. The Lopes have notched 12 treys in a game three times this season.

4. The Lopes pulled down a season-high 47 boards in a defensive performance that held NAU scoreless for the remaining 5:46 minutes of the game. GCU snatched 13 rebounds in the fourth quarter to shut down the 'Jacks offense.

5. With five Lopes sitting in the top-5 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 8.7 boards per game. Marcos-Canedo now sits atop the leader boards with a 2.8 assist/turnover ratio allowing just 17 turnovers through 42 assists. Rarrick is fifth in 3-point field goals made with 28 and 2.5 per game, while Aniya Baker is third with 4.5 assists per game.

Hawai'i Notables
Hawai'i is currently 3-8 on the year. The Rainbow Wahine have lost four of its last five, with their most recent loss to Boise State (61-49) last Tuesday. Hawai'i has faced two ranked opponents this season in No.7 Mississippi State (66-41) and No.9 UCLA (72-49).

The 'Bows are currently averaging 56.3 points per game with 36.6 boards per game. Sarah Toeaina leads in scoring with 11.6 points per game, while Makenna Woodfolk is the front runner on the squad with 7.0 boards per contest.

In their last outing, the Rainbow Wahine fell to Boise State in a 61-49 finish. Hawai'i had a second-half surge to cut Boise State's lead outscoring the Broncos 17-13 in the final frame. But they failed to overcome their slow shooting in the first half and fell.

GCU will meet Hawai'i for the second-straight season and third time in four years. The Lopes hosted the 'Bows in its 2015-16 season opener. In a tough game, the Lopes fell 71-41. GCU also welcomed Hawai'i during the 2013-14 season and defeated the 'Bows 54-51 in GCU Arena. The Lopes travel to play Hawai'i for the first time in program history.

Up Next
GCU conclude its trip in a New Year's Eve clash with Chaminade on Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. MST.