San Antonio sets GCU record with 17 assists in win

Wednesday, November 27

Phoenix, Ariz.

11:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

3-2,0-0WAC

Liberty

3-3,0-0CUSA

Liberty

Grand Canyon

11/27/2024 2:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Lopes senior guard ties WAC single-game mark for single-game assists

By: Nick Macdonald

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Grand Canyon senior guard Trinity San Antonio dished out a GCU record of 17 assists Wednesday as the Lopes feasted for a 79-50 victory over Liberty at Global Credit Union Arena.

The 17 assists also tied the WAC's single-game assist record, set by Laura Ingham of Nevada in the 2001-02 season. Laura Piera held the previous GCU record of 14.

The assist total was also the most of any player in a single game at the NCAA Division I level this season.

"Sharing the basketball is one of the beautiful things in our sport," GCU head coach Molly Miller said. "For Trinity to hold a record that not only embodies her talents, but contributes to the team's success, is a special accomplishment for her and our program."

In a game GCU led for all but 74 seconds, San Antonio also finished with a game-high 21 points, a season-high six steals and four rebounds while knocking down a pair of 3-pointers. The All-WAC Defensive Team honoree has 10 steals over the last two games.

"It feels great to get the record, but I will be honest, I didn't even think I had more than 10," San Antonio said. "Tiarra (Brown) came up to me and said, 'You need five more,' during the game, so it was a great feeling to achieve that."

The victory moved GCU to 3-2 overall and 2-0 at home. It split its WAC/Conference USA scheudling initiative contests this season and is 2-2 in the past two seasons against CUSA teams.

"Today's game was a product of previously being battle-tested," Miller said. "Whether it was the motivation from the returners in last year's meeting against Liberty, or the tough teams we have played this year in Middle Tennessee, Arizona State and Oregon, we've been right there in some of these battles. For us to have a break and reset our focus was big."

Liberty (3-3) knocked down a 3-pointer 14 seconds into the contest on its very first shot attempt, but with every possession after the first, GCU's stout defense kept the Flames from creating any offensive rhythm and forced 27 turnovers, the most against GCU since a Dec. 27, 2023, game vs. Arizona Christian.

A 10-0 run put the Lopes ahead 10-3 and a 6-0 run over the final 2 1/2 minutes gave GCU a 21-12 advantage after the first quarter. GCU entered the halftime locker room with a 35-23 cushion, its largest lead.

With eight Lopes entering the scoring column, graduate forward Laura Erikstrup had 14 points, five rebounds and a steal through 20 minutes. GCU excelled from the free throw line with nine makes in 12 attempts, capitalizing on Liberty's 13 first-half fouls.

A team boasting one of the best 3--point shooters in the nation, the Lopes did not make a 3 on four attempts in the first half. GCU made a point of emphasis to give their sharpshooter, Alyssa Durazo-Frescas, the ball outside the arc. Durazo-Frescas knocked down three 3s while the team notched six 3-pointers to outscore Liberty 24-14 in the third quarter.

The scoring barrage continued in the fourth quarter, the third 20-plus scoring quarter of a 29-point win.

"What's so unique about our team is we have many different weapons," Miller said. "They were pressing up on Alyssa and Anna (Ostile) and our 3-point shooters, so it opened up driving lanes for us. Then, when we got downhill, and they had to protect the rim more, our 3-point shooters had more space to get open."

GCU had 13 steals as a team and finished the night shooting 52% from the field and 44% from 3-point range. The 3-point defense locked down again, holding Liberty to 3-of-16 shooting from deep and 0 of 6 in the second half.
Erikstrup finished with 19 points and seven boards, while Durazo-Frescas had 14 points and four 3s, the second-highest total of the season .

"We're still trying to put things together, just like any team is," San Antonio said. "But once we get that groove and that chemistry is built, you can see we can compete with anybody. This is the dub that we were due to win."

GCU hosts the Talking Stick Resort Thanksgiving Classic on Friday and Saturday. The Lopes are joined by East Texas A&M, UC Santa Barbara and Seattle U for a two-day, four-game event, starting at noon on Friday and Saturday.