Assists rise goes hand in shooting hand with 3s

Thursday, Jan. 19 \| 5:30 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| William R. Johnson Coliseum \| Nacogdoches, Texas

	STEPHEN F. AUSTIN LUMBERJACKS (11-6, 3-2 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (14-2, 5-0 WAC)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| LISTEN: 1580 The Fanatic \| STATS: View

Since the summer, Grand Canyon has spent dozens of practices with emphases on making the extra pass, spacing the floor well, driving and kicking and turning down good shots to get great shots.

The Lopes hammered away at those points, but they are hitting the nail on the head lately. Whether it be the recent uptick in 3-point shooting or highlight-worthy alleyoops, GCU is improving amid a seven-game winning streak with willing and wily passers.

When the Lopes (14-2, 5-0 WAC) put their shared first-place standing on the line Thursday night at Stephen F. Austin, they will start with having a dual-threat starting backcourt and hope their unselfish play remains infectious.

GCU started a playmaker in Jovan Blacksher Jr. for the past two seasons, but teaming with a like-minded guard in Holland Woods II has given GCU a tandem that sets up teammates as well as it protects the ball. The pair combines to average 7.9 assists to 3.4 turnovers per game with a cumulative scoring pop of 29.9 points per game.

Gabe McGlothan and Holland Woods II

"It's chemistry and just getting comfortable with having the ball in my hands a lot again," said Woods, a graduate transfer from Arizona State. "I had almost a whole year off of doing that. Just being able to play off Nuna (Blacksher) and how me and Sean (Miller-Moore) almost have this designed play where he goes backdoor. I'm getting more comfortable and the chemistry of the guys is starting to show."

GCU's run of improved 3-point shooting has bumped the assist totals. The Lopes were a 35.6% 3-point shooting team until they made at least nine 3s in each of their past four games for the first time in their nine-year Division I era. GCU is shooting 43.4% on 3s in that stretch.

"We got comfortable with each other," said Lopes reserve guard Chance McMillian, who made a career-high four 3-pointers in Saturday's win. "We know where each other want to be on the court, so we look for each other and knock down open shots. We just clicked together finally, especially when we're driving."

Woods' passes are often worth more than the two or three points they add to the scoreboard. His alleyoops and no-look dishes invigorate the team, as shown Saturday with his early-game lob for a Miller-Moore dunk and how he set the second-half tone in the first three minutes with an opening alleyoop to Gabe McGlothan and a great feed to Miller-Moore inside for a 25-point lead on Tarleton.

"I've always felt like the best part of my game is the way I see the floor and get guys good shots," Woods said. "I'm just coming back into that. Being able to get guys shots is a joy to me. I truly do find more joy in kicking out for a 3, throwing a no-look to a 3, throwing a lob and seeing a guy dunk it than me scoring any points."

Lope tracks

GCU ranks in the national top six for opponent 3-point percentage (25.3%), offensive rebounds per game (14.5), rebound margin per game (plus-10.4) and rebounds per game (42.1). The Lopes rank highly in rebounding statistics despite not having a player in the national top 200 for rebounds per game.
The Lopes are one of 19 teams that have won at least 87.5% of their games this season.
GCU is coming off its first consecutive conference winning margins of 20 or more since Feb. 16/19 against Chicago State and California Baptist.
Blacksher is one of four players in the nation averaging at least 16 points, four assists and two steals.
Stephen F. Austin ranks 10th nationally for most opponent turnovers per game (18.0). Half of those come on Lumberjacks steals. Stephen F. Austin also commits the fifth-most turnovers per game in the nation (17.2).
Lumberjacks 6-foot-7 senior power forward Gavin Kensmil ranks 15th in the nation for field goal percentage (60.5%).
Stephen F. Austin trailed then-No. 7 Kansas 73-70 at Allen Fieldhouse until Jayhawks guard Remy Martin made a second-chance 3-pointer to ice the game with 34 seconds remaining. Kensmil recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists at Kansas.
Asked about GCU, Lumberjacks head coach Kyle Keller told East Texas media, "We cannot let them run their offense because they will put out five guys that can dribble, pass and shoot. Their transition game is going well right now. We have to limit the transition points and limit their chances to take 3-point shots. We cannot let them control the pace with our lack of numbers right now."
Stephen F. Austin senior guard Roti Ware suffered a season-ending injury during a Dec. 11 game against Liberty.

Thursday, Jan. 19 | 5:30 p.m. (Phoenix time) | William R. Johnson Coliseum | Nacogdoches, Texas

Lope tracks

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jovan Blacksher Jr.

Gabe McGlothan

Chance McMillian

Holland Woods II

Grand Canyon University Athletics