GCU aims to follow up on solid start

Thursday, Dec. 2 \| 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| GCU Arena

	BENEDICTINE MESA REDHAWKS (0-0)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (1-0)

WATCH: GCULopes.com \| STATS: View

The Grand Canyon women's basketball team follows up on a record-setting win in its opener against Weber State with another home game against crosstown NAIA visitor Benedictine Mesa.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

Miller era begins: Head coach Molly Miller made her GCU debut with a record-breaking win over Weber State 93-72. The Lopes set a Division I-era scoring record and matched two DI-era records, including opponent turnovers (27) and points in a quarter (29).
Turnover margin rank: After forcing 27 turnovers and allowing 11 in the first game of the season, the Lopes rank fourth in the nation with a plus-16 turnover margin, trailing Stanford (18.0), UCLA (18.0) and Rutgers (17.0).
Focus on defense and energy: The Lopes have bought into Coach Miller's style of high-pressure defense and energy.

"This defense is crazy," sophomore guard Taylor Caldwell said. "It's really hard to play against when we play against each other in practice. We play against our (male practice team) every day and they're much faster, much stronger and jump higher than any team we'll face. They'll prepare us for any team we play. When we get out here, it's like we've done our defense all the time."

"This is probably the most fun I've ever had on the court," graduate student Ny'Dajah Jackson said. "The energy and the enthusiasm. You get a steal and you lift your team up. It's bringing me back to high school."

SCOUTING

Benedictine Mesa finished 19-9 last season while going 10-3 on the road. Head coach Brian Hutchins enters his fifth season with the Redhawks.

The Redhawks will bring six new faces to Wednesday's matchup, including junior Savanna Crocket, freshman Nala Fainga, freshman Julia Farmer, junior Alana Pinder, freshman Maya Richardson and junior Raenesha Willis.

Benedictine returns its top three scorers with McKenzie Alton, Gabby Zagari and Leah Goodman. Alton shot 45% from the field and 77% on free throws. Zagari hit 41% from the field with Goodman at 30%.

LAST TIME OUT

After sitting out last season, Caldwell made her comeback with a career-high 21 points and matched her career high of seven rebounds.
Junior Kennedi Shorts made her second start of her GCU career in style with a career highs of 17 points and seven rebounds.
The Lopes scored 29 points in the first quarter, matching the GCU Division I-era record for points in a quarter.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lopes take on Loyola Marymount on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 2 | 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) | GCU Arena

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

SCOUTING

LAST TIME OUT

WHAT'S NEXT

Players Mentioned

Taylor Caldwell

Ny'Dajah Jackson

Kennedi Shorts

Grand Canyon University Athletics