GCU keeps perfect WAC road record at CBU

Saturday, February 5

Riverside, Calif.

2 p.m. (Phoenix time)

Grand Canyon

15-6,8-2WAC

California Baptist

16-5,7-3WAC

Grand Canyon

California Baptist

Photo by: Sierra Smith

2/5/2022 4:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Lopes take sole possession of 2nd place in conference race

By: Sierra Smith

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Grand Canyon women's basketball team moved into sole possession of second place in the WAC after winning 61-52 at California Baptist 61-52 on Saturday.

"That was a display of toughness right there," GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "We had an eight-day stretch playing four games, two of which were the top in the conference, and I don't think an outsider looking in would've recognized that based on their grittiness and that tough-fought game."

The Lopes held the Lancers to season-low 17.2% shooting (5 for 29) from 3-point range.

Saturday's game was a revenge match for the Lopes after falling to the Lancers in the WAC Tournament championship last season.

"It was kind of a joke: it's not a rivalry until you win a game," Miller said. "I thought they came out here with a real spark. They were focused. We had a couple of mental practices the last couple of days. Less physical. And they really stuck to the game plan and did a great job of slowing them down in transition."

GCU (15-6, 8-2 WAC) had three players score in double figures, led by graduate guard Amara Graham with 15 points and six rebounds. Junior forward Dominique Phillips added 14 points from the bench with three rebounds and an assist and sophomore guard Tiarra Brown helped out with 10 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Led by senior forward Kennedi Shorts' four offensive rebounds, the Lopes did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in nine second-chance points.

GCU tied its a season high of six blocks, led by freshman Kiyley Flowers' two rejections.

The Lopes started the scoring by going on a 6-0 run off back-to-back 3s from Graham and Flowers. The Lancers fought back, but the Lopes entered the quarter break with a 24-22 advantage. Half of GCU's 24 points in the period came from four shots behind the arc.

California Baptist (16-5, 7-3 WAC) tied the game at 30-30 before GCU went on a 6-0 run, starting at the 2:07 mark in the second period. The Lancers cut into that lead, but the Lopes went into halftime with a 36-31 advantage.

After the break, GCU added to its lead and owned a 51-44 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lopes increased their margin by outscoring the Lancers 10-8 in the final 10 minutes, taking advantage of four CBU turnovers in the quarter and scoring five points off those takeaways. GCU never trailed in the second half on its way to the 61-52 win.

"There's so much parity in the WAC," Miller said. "You have to come play and prepare your best every single game. One game at a time for us, and the next game can't be more or less important than the previous game or the ones to follow."

GCU is back at home to host Utah Valley and Dixie State on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

"One-track mind," Miller said. "We've talked in the locker room and our practices that February is a month when teams rise or fall. Pretty good start for us so far."