Record-setting win: Lopes’ 23rd win most in D-I era

Saturday, February 24

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

23-5,15-2WAC

Abilene Christian

11-14,7-9WAC

Abilene Christian

Grand Canyon

2/24/2024 6:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Holland, Brown each score 20 in 66-55 win over Abilene Christian

By: Nick Macdonald

The list of accolades continues for the 2023-24 Grand Canyon women's basketball team.

The Lopes entered Global Credit Union Arena on Saturday tied for the program's most wins in its Division I era with the 2021-22 team and left with as the sole proprietor of that record after a 66-55 victory over Abilene Christian.

GCU (23-5, 15-2 WAC) maintained its half-game lead over California Baptist in the conference standings. The previous Lopes record for most wins in a D-I season was 22, set two seasons ago in head coach Molly Miller's second year at the helm. Since 2013-14, only three teams have won 20 or more games in a season, with all three coming in the last three seasons played.

"We've said this all year, it does not matter when your name or number gets called, just be ready," Miller said. "It could be any given day or any given day, and that's why I am proud of this group. They continually go to practice and stay ready and it does not matter whose night it is, they are all prepared to do what they need to for this team to win."

The victory at home was the 13th this season, matching last season's total for most in GCU's D-I era. The overall win total is tied for third in program history, dating back to 1988-89, and is one shy of second overall (24 wins in 2011-12) and six back of the top spot (29 wins in 2010-11).

While Thursday's victory over Tarleton State had 10 scorers, Saturday's game saw seven with heavy production from fifth-year guard Jada Holland and senior forward Tiarra Brown. The duo combined for 40 of the Lopes' 66 points, each scoring 20 to become the first Lopes duo to each score 20 since March 11, 2022, when Brown and Amara Graham did it.

"Tiarra is a special player," Miller said. "The wins record is a testament to her. She's been here for four years and has put in the work and done everything we've asked, so just extremely proud of her."

GCU's offense was efficient in the first half, shooting 52% from the field and 10 of 11 from the free throw line to lead 36-23 at the break. The Lopes did not attempt a 3-point shot in the first quarter but made its first two attempted in the second via Holland and senior Anna Ostlie. The defense held Abilene Christian to 3-of-15 accuracy from beyond the arc in the first half and 23% overall in the second quarter to distance themselves at the halftime buzzer.

The Wildcats closed the gap midway through the third quarter when a 3-pointer from Bella Earle and a layup from Zoe Jackson cut the lead to 38-32. But the efficiency of the Lopes offense countered with a 7-0 run, putting the lead back up to 13 points as they closed the quarter leading by double digits.

While Abilene Christian outscored the Lopes 15-14 in the final frame, it was the free throw shooting down the stretch that kept the Wildcats at bay. GCU went 6 of 6 on free throws over the final 10 minutes and finished the night 19 of 20, its second-best mark of the season behind an 8-of-8 showing versus UT Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 29.

"It's that time of season where we have to bring that energy," Brown said. "That can come from any one of us, so if someone goes out, we have the next person up, and that's what happened today."

The Lopes shot 52% from the floor, its seventh game this season shooting above 50%. The efficiency factor came into play throughout the game, attempting only 42 field goals for the lowest under Miller and lowest since March 7, 2020.

The Lopes head back on the road for the final two away games of the regular season. First stop is Thursday at UT Rio Grande Valley.