Lopes look for series split at NM State

Sunday, February 12

Las Cruces, NM

2:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

2/11/2017 9:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

SUNDAY, FEB.12
1:00 p.m. MST \| Pan American Center \| Las Cruces, N.M.
GRAND CANYON LOPES 12-9 (4-4 WAC) GAME NOTES	vs	NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES 17-6 (9-0 WAC) GAME NOTES
HOW TO FOLLOW Stream WAC Digital Network \| Live Stats \| @GCU_WBB

The Grand Canyon women's basketball program travels to Los Cruces, N.M. to take New Mexico State on Sunday, Feb.12. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MST.

GCU comes out of a tough road loss to UTRGV and will look to steal one against the Aggies on Sunday.

Last time Out
GCU fell to UTRGV 52-49 in a close call Thursday night. The Lopes put together a fierce fourth quarter rally to take the lead with seconds left on the clock. But, UTRGV answered to snatch back the lead and ultimately the contest.

It came down to the final frame. GCU's offense was clicking as they went on a 5-0 run to cut UTRGV's lead to 38-35. The Lopes continued to battle for every basket as Casey Rarrick banked a triple to come within four. Midway through the final frame Jessica Gajewski and Rarrick followed with back-to-back triples to bring the Lopes within one at 43-42.

With seconds left on the clock, Laura Marcos-Canedo snatched a huge steal for the Lopes to take possession. While Marcos-Canedo drained a three to briefly give the Lopes the lead at 49-48 with :13 seconds on the clock, UTRGV quickly answered with a layup to take back the lead at 50-49. GCU would run out of opportunities and ended the contest in a tough loss at 52-49.

GCU STARTING FIVE

1. The Lopes will look to split their contest against NM State on Sunday afternoon. GCU fell to the Aggies in the team's first meeting at GCU Arena.

2.The Lopes have done well in the turnover category this season. With a +1.8 turnover ratio, GCU's defense has caused problems for its opponents. The Lopes have averaged 16.0 takeaways thus far and has netted 305 points off turnovers this year. GCU currently sits at third in the WAC with 14.2 turnovers to its opponents 16.0. GCU forced 14 turnovers at UTRGV.

3.Since returning to the court after an ankle injury, Laramie has performed well. Through WAC contests she's averaged 18.3 points per game, good for first place in the league. Overall, she is averaging 19.6 points per game good for No.19 in the NCAA. She currently leads the conference in scoring by 3.6 points.

4. Brie Mobley has continued to wow on the court. After producing her fifth straight double-figure scoring outing against Chicago State (14), she has been consistent in her starting role. In conference play, she is averaging 15.8 ppg and 6.9 rpg. Through WAC contests she sits at sixth in the league in scoring. She now sits at fifth with 3.6 apg thus far.

5. With one Lope leading the conference in scoring and a total of four in the top-5 in the conference standings, GCU continues to impress on the court. Laramie leads with 19.6 ppg, she also leads in 3-Point FG Pct at 45.7 percent. Gajewski sits at fourth in the category (39.3). Zelor Massaquoi is now second with 8.3 rpg. Aniya Baker sits in the top 2 with 3.9 apg.

New Mexico State Notables
NM State is currently 17-6 on the year. The Aggies are currently on a nine-game win streak which includes a perfect 9-0 mark in WAC play.

They are currently averaging 69.6 points per game with 39.2 rebounds per game. Brooke Salas leads the squad in scoring with 13.9 points per game. Tamera William also has a team-leading 6.3 boards per contest. The Aggies currently have three players averaging double figures in Salas, Williams (12.7) and Moriah Mack (10.6).

GCU will meet conference rival NM State for the ninth time in program history and trails 1-8 in all-time series. The Lopes have defeated the Aggies once and it came in their inaugural season in the WAC, when they downed NM State in a 66-56 outcome in Antelope Gymnasium.

Last season, the Lopes fell to the Aggies in both contests. In their last meeting in Los Cruces, The Lopes nearly pulled off the victory falling to NM State by just two at a 60-58 mark.

Up Next
The Lopes will return to GCU arena on Thursday, Feb.16 for a rematch with Seattle U. Tip is set for 7 p.m. MST.