GCU heads to Las Cruces

Saturday, February 19

Las Cruces, N.M.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

Photo by: Zach Campbell

2/19/2022 8:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Lopes hit the road for game 2 against Aggies

By: Sierra Smith

Saturday, Feb. 19 \| 2 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| Pan American Center \|. Las Cruces, N.M.

	NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES (9-15, 5-9 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (16-7, 9-3 WAC)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| TV: Bally Sports Arizona \| STATS: View

The Grand Canyon women's basketball heads to Las Cruces, N.M. to take on New Mexico State for the second time this season. The game can be viewed on ESPN+ and Bally Sports Arizona.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

AGGIES SEEK REVENGE: The first round between the pair went to the Lopes, who defeated the Aggies on a near-buzzer beater from graduate guard Amara Graham.
TOP-10 STAT UPDATE: The Lopes continue to lead the nation in steals per game (13.6) while also ranking third nationally in steals (326) and sixth in turnovers forced per game (23.08).
GOAL TO HOLD 2ND: GCU took back sole possession of 2nd place in the WAC standings after defeating California Baptist on Thursday for the tie breaker. If the Lopes hold onto 2nd, they can receive a first-round bye in the WAC Tournament.

SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE

The Aggies are currently on a three-game losing streak, most recently falling on the road to Dixie State 72-69.
The first matchup between GCU and NMSU came down to the wire as the Lopes were able to get the win off a last-second jumper by Graham to secure the exciting win.
Aggies 6-foot-3 forward Bigue Sarr leads the Aggies on both ends of the floor with 13.4 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the conference.
New Mexico State leads the WAC with a plus-5.5 rebounding margin.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU vs. California Baptist

GCU took down California Baptist 75-55 on Thursday night at GCU Arena and took back sole possession of second place in the WAC race.
The Lopes (17-7, 10-3 WAC) had three players score in double figures, led by graduate guard Amara Graham's 25 points. Graduate forward Jay McChristine posted 14 points, six rebounds and two steals from the bench and junior forward Dominique Phillips posted a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
GCU dominated the boards, outrebounding the Lancers 56 to 35 with Phillips grabbing a team-high 11 boards. The Lopes put in work on the offensive glass, turning 19 rebounds into 18 second-chance points.
The Lancers' two worst 3-point shooting performances of the season have come against the Lopes. CBU shot 17.2% from deep in the first matchup and 18.9& on Thursday night.
GCU's defense forced 18 Lancers turnovers, which turned into 17 points. Freshman point guard Kiyley Flowers and senior forward Kennedi Shorts led the way with three steals apiece.