Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus San Diego State on February 4, 2026 , Win , 57, to, 44
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vs San Diego State
W 57-44
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Insider: Jackson stars in final career act
3/8/2021 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball, Paul Coro, Lopes Insider Blog
Graduate transfer enjoys career highs for stats, fun at GCU
Ny'Dajah Jackson shows impeccable timing on the regular, with the way she passes to Grand Canyon basketball teammates in their shooting pockets, steps into passing lanes for steals and moves into empty floor spacing to score.
When it comes to GCU, Jackson's timing has been divine from finding the right program at the right point to playing her best basketball in her final home game.
The GCU women's basketball team has more work ahead at this week's WAC Tournament in Las Vegas, but the Lopes are in a better place because of what their senior leader has done all season and the momentum that the shooting guard gave them in her regular-season finale.
The emotions of Senior Night hit Jackson before the final regular-season game even started. GCU head coach Molly Miller left grateful notes for Jackson and injured senior Chloe Akin-Otiko in their lockers and had proud pregame hugs and framed uniforms waiting for them and their tears on the GCU Arena court.
After tip, it was an outpouring of a different fashion for Jackson. She dominated the first three minutes of the game with five points, two assists, a steal and a rebound for a 12-2 lead in front of an Oakland, California, faction of her mother, stepfather, brother, nephew, coach/mentor and three best friends.
Jackson did not stop, posting season highs for points (19), rebounds (eight) and assists (five) while adding three steals in the 80-64 win against Seattle U.
"It just came to me," Jackson said. "I shot my shot when I was open and was aggressive getting rebounds and looking for teammates. I was just playing basketball and the moments shifted toward me. It felt like everything was going in.
"It was just a golden picture of that night and I really enjoyed it."
The feeling was mutual for her coach, whose first year was made more successful by adding a graduate transfer who provided leadership, talent and tenacity. Jackson is averaging career highs for points per game (9.5), rebounds per game (3.0) and steals per game (1.6) for a 16-6 team whose pressure defense has put them fourth nationally for opponent turnovers per game (23.7).
"She's the one who is texting the kids, 'Hey, this is this time … we're wearing this … make sure you're going here,' " Miller said. "She's definitely the mother hen that keeps her little chicklings in line. Translating what she learned in her years of undergrad was a big positive for our team."
Jackson set a tone with her positivity and maturity to be a role model for the team with Akin-Otiko, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason practice.
That was comfortable for Jackson to supply after transferring from Youngstown State in search of an ideal role and atmosphere to end her career. She found 11 lifelong friends who put in exhausting summer effort, learning and conditioning to be a team aims for a NCAA tournament berth with three consecutive WAC Tournament wins.
Miller said it was her mission to make it the best year of basketball Jackson ever experienced. Whether the Lopes cut down nets or not Saturday in Las Vegas, that was accomplished for and by Jackson.
"I was searching for my whole collegiate experience – that coach who will be there for me, not just someone who coaches you up, but also someone who gives you advice past college and basketball and will always support you," Jackson said. "I feel more at home with this experience. The coaching staff is close to the players and close together. They make the experience enjoyable. We all love each other and are there for one another. I just didn't have that bond or connection with my other schools so this is probably the best one yet. We're winning and having fun. I'm in a better energy and a better state of mind."
When it comes to GCU, Jackson's timing has been divine from finding the right program at the right point to playing her best basketball in her final home game.
The GCU women's basketball team has more work ahead at this week's WAC Tournament in Las Vegas, but the Lopes are in a better place because of what their senior leader has done all season and the momentum that the shooting guard gave them in her regular-season finale.
The emotions of Senior Night hit Jackson before the final regular-season game even started. GCU head coach Molly Miller left grateful notes for Jackson and injured senior Chloe Akin-Otiko in their lockers and had proud pregame hugs and framed uniforms waiting for them and their tears on the GCU Arena court.After tip, it was an outpouring of a different fashion for Jackson. She dominated the first three minutes of the game with five points, two assists, a steal and a rebound for a 12-2 lead in front of an Oakland, California, faction of her mother, stepfather, brother, nephew, coach/mentor and three best friends.
Jackson did not stop, posting season highs for points (19), rebounds (eight) and assists (five) while adding three steals in the 80-64 win against Seattle U.
"It just came to me," Jackson said. "I shot my shot when I was open and was aggressive getting rebounds and looking for teammates. I was just playing basketball and the moments shifted toward me. It felt like everything was going in.
"It was just a golden picture of that night and I really enjoyed it."
The feeling was mutual for her coach, whose first year was made more successful by adding a graduate transfer who provided leadership, talent and tenacity. Jackson is averaging career highs for points per game (9.5), rebounds per game (3.0) and steals per game (1.6) for a 16-6 team whose pressure defense has put them fourth nationally for opponent turnovers per game (23.7)."She's the one who is texting the kids, 'Hey, this is this time … we're wearing this … make sure you're going here,' " Miller said. "She's definitely the mother hen that keeps her little chicklings in line. Translating what she learned in her years of undergrad was a big positive for our team."
Jackson set a tone with her positivity and maturity to be a role model for the team with Akin-Otiko, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason practice.
That was comfortable for Jackson to supply after transferring from Youngstown State in search of an ideal role and atmosphere to end her career. She found 11 lifelong friends who put in exhausting summer effort, learning and conditioning to be a team aims for a NCAA tournament berth with three consecutive WAC Tournament wins.
Miller said it was her mission to make it the best year of basketball Jackson ever experienced. Whether the Lopes cut down nets or not Saturday in Las Vegas, that was accomplished for and by Jackson."I was searching for my whole collegiate experience – that coach who will be there for me, not just someone who coaches you up, but also someone who gives you advice past college and basketball and will always support you," Jackson said. "I feel more at home with this experience. The coaching staff is close to the players and close together. They make the experience enjoyable. We all love each other and are there for one another. I just didn't have that bond or connection with my other schools so this is probably the best one yet. We're winning and having fun. I'm in a better energy and a better state of mind."
Players Mentioned
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