GCU splits home, away as regular season nears end

Thursday, February 27

Arlington, Texas

5:30 p.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

UT Arlington

2/26/2025 8:57:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Lopes play at UT Arlington on Thursday, return home Saturday vs. Seattle U

By: Nick Macdonald


Grand Canyon Lopes (25-2, 12-0 WAC)	vs.	UT Arlington Mavericks (14-10, 9-4 WAC)	Seattle U Redhawks (3-22, 0-12 WAC)
		Thursday, Feb. 27 5:30 p.m. MST	Saturday, March 1 2 p.m.
		Watch Live Stats	Watch Live Stats

THIS GAME

GCU made history Saturday, earning at least a share of the WAC regular-season title for the first time in program history with a win at California Baptist. One win over its next four games will clinch the conference title outright.
The Lopes hold the nation's longest winning streak in the nation at 23 games, last losing Nov. 18 at No. 23 Oregon. Of GCU's 23 wins, three have been by single digits.
UT Arlington enters Thursday with a 10-0 home record, whereas GCU comes into Global Credit Union Arena on Saturday vs. Seattle U with a 17-0 record.

STORYLINES

The Lopes are 66-12 at Global Credit Union Arena since Molly Miller took the helm in 2020. The Lopes broke the program's single-season record for home wins with their 15th on Feb. 8 vs. California Baptist, surpassing the record of 14 set in 2010-11. Since 2022-23, GCU is 43-8 at home.
GCU's name highlighted the receiving votes section of the Feb. 10 edition of the AP Top 25 poll, earning a vote for the first time in program history among 37 teams in the poll. The Lopes own the nation's longest active winning streak in the country with 23 consecutive victories.
A trio of Lopes rank 1-2-3 in the WAC in steals this season, led by graduate Tiarra Brown with 77 (14th in nation). Brown has 15 games with three or more steals, with 15 over her last four games. Senior guard Trinity San Antonio has 71 (20th in nation), while senior guard Callie Cooper has 64. The trio make up 61% of the team's steals.
GCU senior guard Alyssa Durazo-Frescas is one of the nation's top 3-point scorers, ranking first in 3-pointers per game (4.0), second in 3s made (96), and fourth in 3-point percentage (46.8%). Durazo-Frescas has knocked down four or more 3s in 12 games and has 10 3s over her last two. She is 18 3s shy of tying Becky Hammon's WAC single-season record of 114 3-pointers, set in 1998-99 as a Colorado State player.
Graduate forward Laura Erikstrup is third on the team in scoring at 14.7 ppg and is 13th in the country in field goal percentage (58.8). Erikstrup has totaled 22 games with double digit point totals and has seven double-doubles on the season. Erikstrup leads WAC in total points (408) and is averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds during WAC play.
GCU is one of the most efficient teams from the floor in the entire nation, ranking 3rd in field goal percentage (49.6). The Lopes have shot 50% or better as a team 18 times this season, with only four games under 40% as a squad.
The Lopes three point shooting has been stellar, shooting 40% or better in seven of its last eight games. GCU has made seven or more 3's in seven of 12 WAC games.
Head Coach Molly Miller ranks fifth among active coaches in winning % (.843) with 9+ seasons of coaching. She trails only Geno Auriemma (UConn), Kim Caldwell (Tennessee), Kim Mulkey (LSU), and Jeff Hans (Northern Kentucky).

SCOUTING REPORT

UT Arlington is 14-10 overall and 9-4 in WAC play, currently tied for second in the WAC standings.
The Mavericks attempt 22.5 free throws per game, sixth most in the nation.
UTA averages just north of 38 rebounds per contest, first in the league.
Koi Love has the most field goals made of any WAC player with 165, and is third in total points scored (388).
Avery Brittingham leads the WAC with 219 rebounds, ranking first with 12 double-doubles on the year.
Seattle U enters 3-22 overall and 0-12 in WAC play.
The Redhawks are fourth in the league in both bench points (17.8) and three pointers attempted per game (23.8).

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Lopes endure the same schedule next week, beginning on the road Thursday at Utah Tech followed by a home contest Saturday, March 8 vs. Abilene Christian.
Saturday's game vs. the Wildcats will honor the team's nine seniors for Senior Day.