First of 3 on road puts GCU at NMSU on Saturday

Saturday, February 4

Las Cruces, N.M.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

2/3/2023 1:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Lopes, Aggies each enter matchup at 7-3 in WAC play

By: Nick Macdonald

Saturday, Feb. 4 \| 4 p.m. \| Pan American Center \| Las Cruces, N.M.

	NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES (12-10, 7-3 WAC)	vs.	GRAND CANYON LOPES (15-6, 7-3 WAC)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: LINK

THIS GAME

GCU returns to action after a week off and travels to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to take on New Mexico State for the second time in 16 days.
The Lopes defeated the Aggies 69-62 in overtime on Jan. 19, the third overtime game for both teams. GCU junior Olivia Lane notched 16 points and 19 rebounds, with her rebound mark tied for second in the Lopes' Division I era for a single game.
Eight games remain in the regular season for GCU, with five on the road starting Saturday. The Lopes stay on the road next week at Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin before returning home for three straight starting Feb. 18 vs. Seattle U.

5 NOTES ABOUT THE LOPES

GCU ranks third in the nation in steals per game (13.3), sixth in turnovers forced per game (22.2) and 30th in 3-point percentage defense (27.2%). The Lopes have forced 15-plus turnovers in 18 of 21 games this season.
Sophomore guard Naudia Evans ranks 22nd in the WAC for points per game (11.1), 10th for assists per game (3.2) and first in assist/turnover ratio (2.13 to 1). Evans is averaging 12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals in her last five games. During that stretch, she is shooting 19 of 22 from the free throw line (86.4%).
GCU is shooting just shy of 70% from the free throw line (69.9%) in WAC play, compared to its 61.1% in nonconference action. In the past three games, the Lopes are shooting 78.9% from the charity stripe, making 39 of 49 attempts. Lane has made 48 of 57 (84.2%) in WAC play and shot 8 of 10 in the past game against the Aggies.
GCU's depth has been showcased throughout the season, with the bench averaging a conference-high 27.7 points per game in WAC play. Since its first conference game Dec. 29 at Utah Valley, the Lopes bench has tallied 35 or more points in five games, including 35 against NMSU on Jan. 19. The GCU bench has outscored the opposing bench in 16 of 21 games this season.
Lopes head coach Molly Miller ranks third in the nation in winning percentage (.855), tallying a 235-40 record in six seasons at Drury and four at GCU. She trails only UConn head coach Geno Auriemma (.885) and LSU's head coach Kim Mulkey (.860) among active head coaches who have competed in four seasons.

STRONG DEPTH BENCH ON DISPLAY

GCU's depth has been on display throughout the season, and since conference play began Dec. 29, the Lopes bench is averaging 27.7 points per game, 6.3 higher than the second highest average in the WAC.
The Lopes have scored 35 or more bench points in five conference games this season and have totaled 40 or more bench points four times. They have outscored their opposing bench in 16 of 21 games and is 12-4 when they do so..

COLLECTING THE OFFENSIVE BOARDS

GCU enters the week third in the conference and 54th in the country in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 13.8 per contest.
In conference play, the Lopes have gathered double-digit offensive boards in nine of 10 games played, with seven games of 13 or more. For the season, 18 of 21 games have resulted in a double-digit offensive rebounding effort.
In WAC play, 34% of its rebounds are offensive. Four players have double-digit offensive boards in conference action, including freshman Emma Krueger (24), graduate Evan Zars (22) and juniors Olivia Lane (21) and Tiarra Brown (19).

SCOUTING REPORT

New Mexico State enters Saturday's game at 12-10 overall and 7-3 in the WAC. The 7-3 conference record is tied for third with California Baptist and GCU.
With the new WAC Resume Seeding System introduced this year, New Mexico State ranks sixth with -0.90 points after Thursday's victory over California Baptist. GCU is third with 0.99 points. The top four seeds get a first-round bye in the WAC Tournament.
The Aggies ranks 37th in the country in turnover margin (plus-4.2 per game) and 40th in steals per game (10.0). It's scoring defense of 59.0 points allowed per game is first in the WAC.
Molly Kaiser leads the offense with 11.5 points per contest while also averaging 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Kaiser is fourth in the WAC in free throw shooting percentage at 77.9%.
New Mexico State has forced at least 15 turnovers in nine straight games. It has forced 20-plus turnovers 10 times this season and four times in conference play.

LAST TIME THEY MET

The Lopes and Aggies met on Jan. 19 in Phoenix, with GCU prevailing 69-62 in overtime.
The OT game was the third of the season for both teams.
Three players scored in double figures for GCU, led by Evans with 17 with six rebounds. Brown had 15 points while Lane had 16 points and 19 rebounds, three shy of the GCU DI-era single game record.
The Aggies had five double-digit scorers, led by Kaiser with 16 points and four boards.

WHAT'S NEXT?

GCU stays on the road for two games in the state of Texas, beginning Thursday at Sam Houston.
The Lopes conclude the road trip on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Stephen F. Austin.
GCU's next home game is Saturday, Feb. 18 vs. Seattle U for Non-Profit Day.