Lopes prevail in 2 OTs, extend win streak to 8

Saturday, January 20

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

16-3,8-0WAC

Seattle U

1-16,1-7WAC

OT 1

OT 2

Seattle U

Grand Canyon

1/20/2024 5:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Evans' free throws, 21 points keep GCU undefeated in WAC

By: Nick Macdonald

When a team is on winning streak, it finds ways to pull out the victory, whether that be in regulation or double overtime.

Despite poor shooting from the outside and a slow start for the offense, Grand Canyon stayed in Saturday's game with a trio of clutch free throws and a swarming defense to extend its winning streak to eight games with an 84-73 double-overtime victory over Seattle U.

With the home victory, GCU (16-3, 8-0 WAC) has the program's second-most wins at the 19-game point since the 2011-12 Lopes went 17-2. The eight-game winning streak is tied for the 10th-longest active one in the nation.

GCU junior guard Naudia Evans led all scorers with 21 points, as she made four of the Lopes' five 3-pointers. She added five assists and three steals in 45 minutes of play, her second 45-minute game of the season.

Fffth-year point guard Jada Holland tallied 17 points, six rebounds and five assists to extend her streak of five or more assists to five games. Lopes senior forward Olivia Lane added 16 points and pulled down five boards while going 10 of 15 from the free throw line.

GCU junior guard Trinity San Antonio and senior forward Tiarra Brown saw extended minutes in their first games at home since Dec. 30. San Antonio had a team-high eight boards to go with eight points, while Brown came off the bench for eight points, seven rebounds and four steals.

The Lopes were held to 27 points in the first half, including nine in the first quarter as GCU struggled from the field. The Lopes shot 26% from the floor and 14% from 3-point range, making 2 of 14 attempts. GCU stayed within five points of the Redhawks at halftime because of 9-for-12 free throw shooting.

GCU came out of the locker room with its best quarter of the game, scoring 19 points and shooting 53% from the field. Holland's last second three as time expired put the Lopes within one point, 47-46.

Down four with 3:15 to play, San Antonio converted a layup and graduate forward Laura Erikstrup sank a shot to tie the game at 59-59. San Antonio gave the Lopes a 61-59 lead with 1:45 to play before Seattle U's Mya Moore countered with a tying jump shot in the paint.

With 22 seconds to spare, GCU controlled the ball and called a timeout to set up the last shot. Evans, who has two game-winners this season, drove right and attempted an off-balance shot off the glass, with the ball hitting the front of the rim and rolling out to send the game into overtime.

The Lopes trailed by as many as five points twice in the first overtime and trailed by three with a minute left in it. With 18 seconds left, Evans caught the ball behind the 3-point arc in the left corner and was fouled, setting up three free throws to tie the game. Evans made all three to force double overtime.

While GCU's offense was slow to start, it shined in the final overtime with 15 points and a 10-1 run to open the final frame. GCU made 24 of 35 free throws, including 10 of 13 in overtimes. The final six points of the game were scored on free throws as the Lopes left Global Credit Union Arena with their perfect WAC record intact.

The game was the second of the season to head into overtime, with GCU also prevailing 65-63 over Idaho on Dec. 17. It was the Lopes' first double-overtime game since Dec. 29, 2022, at Utah Valley.

GCU stays home and hosts two straight games, beginning Thursday versus Stephen F. Austin.