CBU comes to GCU for rematch

Thursday, February 17

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

California Baptist

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2/16/2022 1:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Lopes, Lancers play for 2nd place in WAC

By: Sierra Smith

Thursday, Feb. 17 \| 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| GCU Arena

	CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS (18-5, 9-3 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (16-7, 9-3 WAC)

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The Grand Canyon women's basketball team takes on California Baptist for the second time this season.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

ROUND 2: The first round between the pair went to the Lopes, who defeated the Lancers on their home court less than two weeks ago.
TOP-10 STAT UPDATE: The Lopes lead the nation in steals per game (13.6) while also ranking fourth nationally in steals (313) and sixth in turnovers forced per game (23.3). GCU also has the eighth-best turnover margin (plus-6.39).
PLAYING FOR 2ND - AGAIN: With both teams tied at 9-3 in WAC play, the game will determine which team will take sole possession of second place with just five games to follow in the regular season. GCU and CBU were tied at 7-2 in the WAC before the first matchup. GCU took sole possession, but after falling to Utah Valley, there is another tie in the standings.

SCOUTING CALIFORNIA BAPTIST

After falling to the Lopes three games ago, the Lancers bounced back and are coming off consecutive wins against Lamar and UT Rio Grande Valley.
In the first matchup between GCU and CBU, WAC leading scorer Caitlyn Harper (18.4 points per game) was the only Lancer to score double figures, as she posted 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
The Lancers return 12 players from the 2020-21 WAC regular-season and WAC Tournament championship team.
CBU swept the WAC Player of the Week awards this past week. Ane Olaeta averaged 16.5 points, seven assists and 5.5 rebounds. Trinity San Antonio earned Freshman of the Week after scoring in double figures in both games and shooting 57.1% from the field.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU vs. Dixie State

Grand Canyon senior guard Tianna Brown knocked down a record-breaking eight 3-point shots as part of a career-high 26 points that helped the Lopes take down Dixie State 66-50 at home Saturday.
Brown's eight 3s broke the GCU Division I era record, which was previously seven, and tied the all-time program record set by Maylinn Smith in 2012. Brown became the only player in the nation to make eight 3s in a game this season in fewer than 26 minutes. Playing off the bench, Brown connected on 8 of 12 shots from 3-point range.
Only 19 players in the nation have made eight 3s in a game this season and only four did so in fewer attempts. Brown's previous scoring high was 15.
The Lopes (16-7, 9-3 WAC) had two players score in double figures with Brown and junior forward Dominique Phillips, who also came off the bench to add 11 points and six rebounds.
GCU dished out 15 assists on 24 made field goals with Brown's younger sister, sophomore guard Tiarra Brown, delivering three.
The Lopes forced 18 Dixie State turnovers and turned them into 22 points. GCU freshman point guard Ja'mya Powell-Smith led the way with three steals.
GCU started hot by going on a 12-0 run, highlighted by two 3s from Brown. The Lopes allowed only four Dixie State points the rest of the quarter and added six points to that lead by the end of the period for an 18-4 advantage. The Lopes outrebounded the Trailblazers 19-4 in the first quarter and went on to finish with a season-high 48 rebounds.
The Lopes maintained their lead in the second frame and entered halftime with a 34-23 edge.
Following the break, GCU continued to expand its lead, pushing it to 46-31 before going on a 5-0 run that was punctuated by a basket from Tianna Brown for a 51-31 lead with 1:51 to go in the third. The Lopes knocked down four 3-pointers in the 20-point quarter.
The Lopes held on for the victory in the fourth quarter, with the bench finishing with 50 of GCU's 66 points.