Lopes fall to CSUB in gritty contest

Saturday, February 4

Bakersfield, CA

2:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

12-8, 4-3WAC

CSU Bakersfield

10-11, 5-2WAC

Grand Canyon

CSU Bakersfield

2/4/2017 4:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Grand Canyon women's basketball program fell to CSU Bakersfield 74-59 in a gritty contest Saturday afternoon. With the result, the Lopes fall to 12-8 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.

Jessica Gajewski put up 12 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. In her return to the court, Aniya Baker produced nine points, with five boards, three assists and four steals.

How it Happened
CSUB took the early lead, but GCU quickly answered with scores on back-to-back possessions starting with a Laura Marcos-Canedo trey followed by a Marina Laramie layup to cut the 'Runners lead to 9-5 early in the first. CSUB answered back with a 13-5 run to extend its lead. After the media timeout, the Lopes stepped up their offense, mounting a 13-3 run deep in the first to close the gap and cut CSUB's lead to three at 16-13.

In a high energy period, the Lopes carried on its momentum in the first half tying the game with a Laramie triple at 15-15. After being fouled, Laramie banked two free throws to put GCU ahead 20-18. The Lopes were able to extend its lead off a Baker free throw followed by back-to-back Baker triples to put GCU up 27-20 late in the half. The Lopes continued to apply their stifling defense holding the 'Runners from scoring for over three minutes. To cap off the productive half, August Touchard hit a triple to put GCU up 30-24 to end the half.

The 'Runners came out the gates with a 9-4 run to tie the ball game up at 34-34 with 4:56 left in the third period. While the contest remained tied for the majority of the third, CSUB starting pulling ahead after scoring seven unanswered points to extend its lead to 45-38. After the timeout, the Lopes started climbing back, cutting the 'Runners lead to 45-40 off a Laramie triple and a pair of Gajewski free throws.

While GCU opened final frame with a Laramie bucket to come within three. The following minutes produced a pair of technical fouls on CSUB and Gajewski converted all four free throws awarded to the Lopes to take back the lead at 47-46. The 'Runners then put together a 20-4 run to take control of the game deep in the period at 72-53. From that point on, GCU struggled to get its offense going and fell to the 'Runners Saturday afternoon after a physical and high intensity contest.

Lopes Notes

Jessica Gajewski went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, marking the seventh time this season she's achieve the feat.
Aniya Baker led the squad with four steals, marking the eighth time this year she has led the category.

Up Next
The Lopes continue their road swing at UTRGV on Thursday Feb.9. Game time is set for 6 p.m. MST.