Winning streak ends at 8 games

Thursday, January 25

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

16-4,8-1WAC

Stephen F. Austin

13-6,7-1WAC

SFA

Grand Canyon

1/25/2024 10:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

GCU falls for 1st time in WAC play to Stephen F. Austin

By: Nick Macdonald

For the first time since Dec. 20, Grand Canyon fell in a tight conference battle to Stephen F. Austin, which won 59-54 on Thursday night at Global Credit Union Arena.

The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak, which began Dec. 27 versus Arizona Christian. GCU moves to 16-4 overall and 8-1 in WAC play. The Lopes still hold first place in the conference standings by a half-game over the Ladyjacks and California Baptist because they have played one more game than each 7-1 team.

GCU entered the game averaging just above 70 points per contest and totaled only 54, the second-fewest total of the season to its 52 at Liberty. The Lopes struggled from the offensive end, shooting 31% from the floor and 23% from 3-point range. Their shooting from the field marked their second lowest clip on the season.

Despite shooting 25% from the floor in the first quarter, the Lopes led 12-7 by holding Stephen F. Austin (13-6, 7-1 WAC) to 14% shooting from the field and 1-of-7 accuracy on 3s. It held a 23-20 halftime lead despite its lowest halftime scoring total since the Dec. 20 loss (18 points).

While GCU came out with its best third-quarter scoring output, the Ladyjacks matched the Lopes and then some. SFA scored 25 points with a 64% clip from the floor with three made 3s. The Lopes trailed 39-37 with a minute left in the third before a 6-0 Ladyjacks run put them ahead 45-37 at the end of three.

Down by as many as 10 points early in the fourth, GCU climbed its way back to a 54-52 deficit with 3:35 to play after consecutive steals by junior guard Trinity San Antonio set up scores. San Antonio caused a third consecutive turnover by drawing a charge, but the Lopes did not score. The defense kept the Ladyjacks to five points over the ensuing 3 1/2 minutes, but the offense struggled to convert shots around the rim and missed seven consecutive shots while making four turnovers in that stretch.

Junior guard Naudia Evans led the Lopes with 13 points and added six rebounds, while senior forward Olivia Lane grabbed 10 boards for her third double-digit rebounding game of the season.

Fifth-year point guard Jada Holland, who entered averaging 5.3 assists per contest, was held to two assists to end her streak of five or more assists at six games. San Antonio accounted for a season-high six steals of the Ladyjacks 17 turnovers. San Antonio has 17 steals in the past five games.

GCU stays home and hosts UT Arlington on Saturday at 2 p.m. It is the second matchup of the season versus the Mavericks, with the Lopes prevailing 77-48 in Arlington on Dec. 2.