Lopes take down SFA 74-70

Saturday, January 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-4,3-1WAC

Stephen F. Austin

12-3,2-1WAC

SFA

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Zach Campbell

1/7/2023 7:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Brown scores 20; Zars reaches 1,000 rebounds for her career

By: Nick Macdonald

A 2022 WAC Tournament final rematch was sure to bring excitement and a tough test for both teams Saturday and in a wild finish, fittingly enough on Wildlife Day, Grand Canyon pulled out a 74-70 come-from-behind victory at GCU Arena to move to 11-4 on the season and 3-1 in the WAC.

Meeting for the first time since Stephen F. Austin won the WAC Tournament title 74-47 in March, the Lopes prevailed with a team effort that was led by junior forward Tiarra Brown with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists. GCU had never beaten a higher ranked opponent than the Ladyjacks, No. 46 in NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET), in its 10-year Division I era.

"They are at the top of the mountain, but we're climbing to the top," GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "This was a big momentum win for us, but it can't be at trap game, as we turn around quickly. In conference, every game is important. Really proud of the team and we will smile now but get right back to work tomorrow."

In addition to the back-and-forth contest, graduate forward Evan Zars achieved a milestone with her 1,000th career rebound. Zars was six shy going into the game, and recorded just that while adding five points and two assists. She became the sixth active player in Division I to reach 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.

"I thought the moment was very cool," Zars said of an in-game announcement of her 1,000th rebound. "My dad is here, and I am very happy he was here to see it. He's been with me through all this and has coached me for a really long time. I am really happy to be a part of this team and we got the win. That's what matters, and everyone here is so supportive, so it makes it even better."

1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ rebounds for Zars!

Zars becomes the sixth active D1 player to achieve 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for her career. Congrats, Evan!!#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/ehS7cMalHO
— GCU Women's Basketball (@GCU_WBB) January 7, 2023

Both teams traded shots as the Lopes connected from deep three times in the opening quarter to lead 20-19. Stephen F. Austin (12-3, 2-1 WAC) got out to a 29-23 lead in the second quarter before the Lopes rallied off seven straight to regain the lead at 30-29.

With GCU facing foul trouble early, including starting point guard Aaliyah Collins with three in the first half, the Ladyjacks ended the half on an 11-4 run and led 40-33 at the break. The Lopes shot 43.3% from the floor and 40% from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes.

GCU regrouped at the half and came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter, when six Lopes scored 14 straight points to lead 47-40 midway through the quarter. SFA came back to tie it at 47-47 and a back-and-forth game ensued with GCU leading 52-51 at the end of three.

The fourth quarter saw four lead changes and four ties. GCU took a 58-53 lead with 7:14 to play before SFA rallied ahead 63-60 with just under five minutes on the clock. With 2:09 left, Lopes freshman forward Emma Krueger gathered an offensive rebound and kicked it out to freshman guard Laila McLeod for a 3-pointer in front of the Havocs. McLeod's third 3 of the game put GCU ahead 69-65.

Free throw shooting proved vital down the stretch, as the Lopes went 5 of 6 in the final minute. Junior forward Olivia Lane made a pair with just under six seconds to secure the victory.

GCU shot 48.1% from the field, 41.2% on 3-pointers (7 of 17) and 75% from the charity stripe (15 of 20). It was the second straight game the the Lopes shot over 40% from the floor, extending its record to 10-2 when shooting 40% or higher.

"Everyone was locked in, and everyone came to compete, that's what helped us get this win tonight," Brown said.

The Lopes head on the road for two games next week at UT Arlington and UT Rio Grande Valley. The first of the two is Thursday in Arlington, Texas, for a 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) tipoff with a livestream on ESPN+.