Road win brings Lopes to 11-3 in WAC

Saturday, February 19

Las Cruces, N.M.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

18-7,11-3WAC

New Mexico State

9-16,5-10WAC

Grand Canyon

New Mexico St.

Photo by: Sierra Smith

2/19/2022 8:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

GCU completes sweep over Aggies with 46-43 win

By: Sierra Smith

The Grand Canyon women's basketball team earned a gritty 46-43 win over New Mexico State on Saturday at Pan American Center to stay undefeated in road conference games and in second place of the WAC. With their first-ever season sweep of the Aggies, the Lopes improved to 18-7 overall and 11-3 in the WAC.

"First, I have to commend our kids for a scrapping out a tough road win against a feisty New Mexico State team." GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "There wasn't much to be desired offensively on both ends, but our will to defend is inevitably what got us the win."

The GCU trio of graduate student Amara Graham, sophomore guard Tiarra Brown and senior guard Tianna Brown combined to score 35 of the Lopes' 46 points.

Graham led with 16 points and also added three rebounds and two assists. Tiarra Brown posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and her sister, Tianna Brown, added eight points with three rebounds.

The Lopes outrebounded the WAC leader in rebounding margin, 43-43, with graduate forward Jay McChristine grabbing a team-high 12 boards.

After playing to a 4-4 tie, the Lopes went on a 6-0 run with 6:19 left in the first quarter. The Aggies fought back to close the deficit to 15-13 by the end of the quarter.

A game-low six points in the second quarter put the Lopes behind 23-21 at halftime. GCU scored all six of its second-quarter points on free throws, going 0 for 10 from the field.

"We really challenged them at halftime to be the tougher team, both mentally and physically, and don't disconnect emotionally when things get hard," Miller said. "Just dig deeper and feed off one another's energy."

After intermission, GCU came out and went on a 4-0 run, finished off by Graham's third 3-pointer of the game. The Lopes outscored the Aggies 14-7 in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter came down to the wire but the Lopes held on for the road victory and secured the regular-season sweep over the Aggies.

"As we near the end of conference play, every game is so important and I believe our kids are locked in and on a mission," Miller said. "When we are playing our best basketball, this team can compete with the best."

The Lopes are back at home for their last home game of the season on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Chicago State. GCU will honor seven seniors, including Amara Graham, Kennedi Shorts, Taylor Caldwell, Ny'Dajah Jackson, Tianna Brown, Jay McChristine and Chloe Akin-Otiko.

"It's time to play our best basketball and go compete, starting with our last home game against Chicago State on Thursday," Miller said. "We hope our Lopes fans can come help us recognize our seniors and cheer us on one last time this year at home."