GCU's stifling defense stuns Seattle U

Thursday, February 16

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

13-10, 5-5WAC

Seattle U

11-14, 8-2WAC

Seattle U

Grand Canyon

2/16/2017 10:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon women's basketball team improved to 10-2 in GCU Arena after downing Seattle U in a 82-77 finish. The Lopes dominated on defense forcing 26 turnovers and causing a season-high 16 steals. On offense, GCU shot 54 percent from the field and 96.3 percent from the charity stripe to claim the game.

Brie Mobley led the Lopes in scoring with season-high 31 points going 10-of-15 from the field. She was also a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line and led GCU with nine boards. Zelor Massaquoi led the Lopes with five steals, while Laura Marcos-Canedo dished out a team-leading six assists.

How it Happened
Seattle U came out the gate quick, putting together a 14 point performance which included four triples to take the lead at 14-10 early. After the media timeout, GCU put together a 10-8 run to come within two to end the first at 22-20.

GCU's offense found its rhythm in the second as they shot over 50 percent from the field led by Mobley's 19 point performance. GCU forced 16 turnovers good for 18 points off Redhawk miscues. To start the period, Mobley hit a layup to tie the game up at 22-22. A pair of Erika Thomas free throws gave GCU the slight edge at 24-22. The Lopes went on to put together a 22-13 run applying the press. Aniya Baker ended the half on a high note after forcing turnover No.16, converting it into a layup to give GCU the nine point edge at 44-35 at the half.

Seattle U opened the third quarter with a 7-5 run to cut GCU's lead to 49-44 midway through the third. All of the Lopes points came from the charity stripe until the 1:50 mark when Laramie finally converted field goals on back-to-back possessions. The Lopes ended the quarter strong with a Baker jumper to leave the score at 61-53.

GCU came out flat in the fourth and the Redhawk's capitalized, mounting a furious 15-2 run to snatched the lead at 73-72 at the 1:42 minute mark off a triple. Marcos-Canedo tied the game back up with a pair of free throws. Mobley answered moments later with a huge layup to give GCU the slight edge at 74-72. As the clock continued to wind down, Massaquoi forced a huge steal to give GCU possession. With Seattle U out of options, the Lopes continued to drain shots from the charity stripe as Mobley iced the game with the final free thow.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Trent May
"It was a wild one. Thankful to our girls for weathering the storm. Really good basketball team tonight, really well coached and very disciplined. Great shooting team, they lit us up from the three-point line, but we stayed the course and believed in our defense and what we can do. They just made it interesting when they hit the three's that they did and flurry of offensive rebounds in the second half especially down the stretch, those And 1's that turned into three-point plays. They had more three point opportunities tonight than they had with just two-point opportunities. Those things you've got to have, however we did enough good things to win the game in the end and that's what its about."

Lopes Notes

The Lopes improve to 10-2 in GCU Arena this season.
GCU forced a season-high 16 steals. This marks the most steals forced since GCU's Division I transition.
After forcing 26 turnovers, the Lopes tied a season-high. They secured 21 points off of TOs.
GCU hit 90 percent or better from the free throw line for the third time this season, going 26-27 (96.3 percent) on the night.
The Lopes shot 50 percent or better for the first time in 2017 after shooting 54.0 percent.
GCU had four finish in double figures in Brie Mobley (31), Marina Laramie (15), Aniya Baker (12) and Laura Marcos-Canedo (10).
Mobley notched a season-high 31 points. She was also a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe. She notched GCU's fourth 30-plus scoring outing of the season and first since December.
Marcos-Canedo scored in double-figures for the fourth time this season after shooting 3-of-5 from the field and going a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. She also dished out six assists her second-highest total this year.
Zelor Massaquoi led the team with five steals, marking a career-high. She also pulled down eight boards.
Laramie secured a season-high four assists on the night. She also added 15 points with four defensive boards.

Up Next
The Lopes return to GCU Arena to host Utah Valley in their Breast Cancer Awareness game as they honor the Kay Yow Cancer center. Tip is set for 2 p.m. MST on Saturday, Feb. 18.