Dominating effort wins on offense, defense

Friday, February 26

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

14-6,6-4WAC

Seattle University

11-9,6-4WAC

Team	1	2	3	F
Seattle U	7	13	13	43
Grand Canyon	21	20	26	23	90

Photo by: Elizabeth Tinajero

2/26/2021 10:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

GCU 90-43 blowout features 5 scorers in double digits

By: Sierra Smith

The Grand Canyon women's basketball team dominated Game 1 of its final regular-season conference series, blowing out out Seattle U 90-43 win at GCU Arena after spending the previous two weekends on the road.

"We were ready to play at home, in front of our home crowd, on our home court, hit some shots," GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "I think we really stepped up, especially in that area, just knocking down 3s."

GCU came out with intensity and started the game with a 14-0 run.

After shooting an astounding 64.3% from the field in the first quarter, the Lopes never looked back. GCU freshman center Katie Scott scored 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting in five minutes of the 21-7 quarter.

"We worked in practice, just passing perfect passes to where we can get our shooters ready to catch and fire away," Miller said. "I think that perfect passing and in-rhythm shots helped our percentage today."

The Lopes led 41-20 at halftime but really put the game away after a 26-point third quarter, when GCU starting guards Laura Piera and Taylor Caldwell combined for 16 points and seven Lopes players scored.

Five Lopes posted double-figure scoring for the game and 10 players scored at least four points.

The scoring was led by freshman Tiarra Brown, who tallied 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes. Scott finished with 12 while Piera and Caldwell added 11 each.

"I think the whole team just gave everything," GCU junior Venla Varis said. "Even though we got the lead, no one gave up and we kept pushing and pushing."

Varis scored 11 points off the bench, shooting 3 for 4 from 3-point range to help the Lopes reach 90 points for the fourth time this season.

"Her feet were set and she was ready to shoot," Miller said of Varis. "I know that when Ven gets in the game she's going to go hard, run the floor, be ready to catch and shoot. She had her feet set and it looked good coming out of her hands. It was nice to see her get on a roll."

Before Friday, there was a three-way tie for second place in the WAC standings. If the Lopes sweep the Redhawks, they will clinch a top-three seed with a great chance to secure the No. 2 seed. Currently, Utah Valley remains tied with GCU at 7-4 in conference play and plays at UT Rio Grande Valley on Saturday and at Tarleton on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We talked about every game we play is the most important game of the season," Miller said. "Tonight, it was this game. Tomorrow, that's the most important game of the season right now."

The Lopes take on Seattle U for the final regular-season game before heading to Las Vegas for the WAC Tournament. GCU will honor seniors Ny'Dajah Jackson and Chloe Akin-Otiko before Saturday's game.

"We're going to recover, eat and get sleep," Varis said. "We've gotta be ready for tomorrow (Saturday). We can't just walk in because we beat them by that many points. We have to give twice the effort that we gave today."