GCU Classic concludes with 63-40 win over Nicholls

Saturday, November 25

Phoenix, Ariz.

2:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-2,0-0WAC

Nicholls

4-3,0-0Southland

Nicholls

Grand Canyon

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

11/25/2023 5:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Defense holds Colonels to 26% shooting; 10 Lopes score to move to 4-2

By: Nick Macdonald

It was a point of emphasis this week to get back to the lockdown defensive style of play that head coach Molly Miller has instilled at the helm of Grand Canyon. For the second consecutive game, the Lopes portrayed that with defense that allowed only 40 points, made nine steals and forced 13 turnovers to beat Nicholls 63-40 in Saturday's final game of the GCU Classic.

In two GCU Classic wins, the Lopes (4-2) scored 118 points and allowed only 76 points, dropping their scoring defense average from 63.3 points per game entering the two-day classic to 54.8 through six games this season.

"I am really proud of our bench tonight," Miller said. "We had some reserves come in and shine in that moment and play very hard and it's a testament to them in staying ready. They gave us a little run there that got us over the hump and very pleased with the team to go 2-0 in the GCU Classic and get back on track."

Graduate forward Laura Erikstrup led the Lopes with 14 points and added four rebounds in 17 minutes of play. Junior guard Trinity San Antonio finished with nine points, her first non-double-digit game of the season, but she recorded five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Graduate forward Shay Fano added eight points and five rebounds off the bench and got closer to the 1,000-point milestone, which is now 28 points away.

While the defense locked down for the second straight game, the offense once again shot well from beyond the arc with 8 of 19 made attempts (42%). As a whole, the team shot 42% from the floor, its fourth game shooting above 40% this season.

GCU dominated the boards, outrebounding the Colonels 42-28. Seven Lopes had four or more rebounds while every single player on the squad grabbed at least two rebounds.

Despite a slower start than the day before, GCU led 10-5 after the first quarter and had a 27-19 advantage at halftime. Much like Thursday's third quarter, the Lopes found their groove with five 3-pointers, including two from junior guard Anna Ostlie for the second consecutive game, and led 50-29 through the third.

A career-high seven points from sophomore guard McKenna Simons helped close out the second half for the Lopes, who had their largest margin of victory of the season.

GCU stays home for the final game of its five-game homestand as it takes on UT Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Live coverage will be broadcast on FOX 10 Xtra and stream on ESPN+. The team will host First Responders Night with activities on the Quad prior to the contest.

More information on First Responders Night can be found here: https://gculopes.com/news/2023/11/14/lopes-nov-29-contest-vs-utrgv-moved-to-7-pm.