Impressive free throw shooting lifts Lopes over Chicago State

Thursday, February 23

Chicago, IL

6:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

15-11, 7-6WAC

Chicago State

0-26, 0-12WAC

Grand Canyon

Chicago State

Impressive free throw shooting lifts Lopes over Chicago State

2/23/2017 8:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

CHICAGO - The Grand Canyon women's basketball team picked up its third-straight win after defeating Chicago State in a 73-62 finish Thursday night. In a highly contested contest that came down to the final frame, GCU shot 75 percent from the free throw line to put the game out of reach for the Cougars.

Marina Laramie led the Lopes with 31 points, shooting 10-of-22. She was also a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Brie Mobley finished the night with 20 points, tieing with Erika Thomas with eight boards each.

How it Happened
In a back-and-forth first half, the Cougars had an answer for every offensive play as GCU struggled to pull away early. The Lopes opened up scoring on back-to-back layups from Thomas and Mobley. The Lopes then put together a 5-2 run before Chicago State found momentum taking the lead midway through the first at 10-9. While both team's continued to trade baskets the period ended with a 13-11 Chicago State advantage.

The second was not much different as the Lopes took back the lead early at 18-15. But the Cougars staid vigilant, refusing to allow GCU to extend its lead more than three as the half ended with a 33-30 GCU lead.

The Lopes were able to establish momentum in the third period. They put together a 7-1 run as Laramie accounted for the total to take control of the contest at 43-36. The Cougars staid in the hunt, putting together their own run climbing back from seven down to come within two to close out the third at 48-46.

The game continued to be physical headed into the final frame. GCU started off fast in the fourth off a Laramie jumper followed by a Mobley layup to pushed its lead to six at 52-46. But despite the Lopes defensive efforts, the Cougars kept fighting back shaving the Lopes lead to one at the five minute mark at 54-53. But as the clock continued to wind down GCU's execution at the charity stripe pushed the game out of reach for the Cougars. As a result, the Lopes pulled out their third straight-win Thursday night.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Trent May
"Proud of our team tonight for making plays and staying together down the stretch. Chicago State would not go away and I want to give them credit. We were efficient in a lot of categories and that was the difference in a good road win."

Lopes Notes

Laramie reached the 31 point mark for the second time this season. She was also perfect from the charity stripe (10-for-10).
The Lopes had two players score 20 or more points in an outing against the Cougars in Laramie (31) and Mobley (20). The pair last achieved the mark at UTRGV.

Up Next
GCU is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 25 as they face UMKC in their road finale. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MST.