Lopes dominate in Breast Cancer Awareness game

Saturday, February 18

Phoenix, Ariz.

2:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

14-10, 6-5WAC

Utah Valley

8-18, 3-8WAC

Utah Valley

Grand Canyon

2/18/2017 5:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon women's basketball team defeated Utah Valley 60-42 in its Breast Cancer Awareness game in honor of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The Lopes shot over 50 percent in the second half to run away with the game.

Marina Laramie led the Lopes with 25 points going 10-of-17 with three triples. Erika Thomas led on the boards with eight, while August Touchard dished out five assists on the day. Brie Mobley also scored in double figures going 5-for-10 for 10 points.

How it Happened
While the first quarter was determined by defensive play, the period ended in a 6-6 tie. GCU finally got things going in the second quarter as they closed in on Utah Valley's 5-0 run with back-to-back Jessica Gajewski field goals to take the slight lead at 18-17.

The period went on in a back-and-fourth contest as Utah Valley had an answer for every Lope bucket. After a pair of Laramie free throws to put GCU back on top, the Wolverine's sneaked in a layup to snatch back the advantage at 21-20 heading into the half.

GCU opened the third like a team possessed stepping up on defense and putting together a 10-2 run to take the lead at 30-23. GCU refused to allow any Utah Valley points for over two minutes before continuing to tear it up for the rest of the period. Shooting 56.3 percent from the field and securing four triples to end the quarter at 42-28.

The Lopes started the fourth in control as Laramie drained her second triple and Mobley followed with a jumper to extend GCU's lead. The Lopes went on to dominate, pulling ahead by 22 points off a Laramie trey at the 4:09 mark. Utah Valley wouldn't go quietly shaving the deficit to 16 off a pair of consecutive scores. But after a pair of GCU free throws, the 18 point deficit proved too hard to surpass as the Lopes picked up their 11th win at home in the 60-42 tally.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Trent May
"Not the start we were looking for, but played defense well enough to have the game close. We came out of the half and got to work and the game was in hand after. Proud of the effort and resolve of the team today."

Lopes Notes

Laramie surpasses the 25 point mark for the third time this season.
Lopes improve to 11-2 in GCU Arena.

Up Next
The Lopes embark on their final road trip of the regular season as they travel to the Midwest to face Chicago State on Thursday, Feb. 23 and UMKC on Saturday, Feb. 25. Game times are set for 6 p.m. MST and 1.