Semifinal gives Lopes shot at WAC win streak record

Friday, March 13 \| Noon \| WAC Tournament semifinal Orleans Arena \| Las Vegas

	(1) GRAND CANYON LOPES (30-2)	vs.	(5) UTAH VALLEY WOLVERINES (18-11)

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LAS VEGAS – There has been Grand Canyon women's basketball history with Wednesday's program-record 30th win and the Lopes' first WAC regular-season championship.

But the Lopes are going beyond GCU lore with the first conference team in 19 years to have four players on All-WAC teams and senior guard Alyssa Durazo-Frescas breaking Becky Hammon's 1998 WAC record for 3-pointers in a season.

Next, with a WAC Tournament semifinal win against fifth-seeded Utah Valley at noon Friday, the top-seeded Lopes could match Louisiana Tech's 23-year-old record for the conference's longest winning streak.

Las Vegas, NV March 12, 2025 : The Lopes get a 71-47 win over Utah Tech during their 2025 WAC Tournament quarterfinal game in Las Vegas. David Kadlubowski/GCU

Las Vegas, NV March 12, 2025 : The Lopes get a 71-47 win over Utah Tech during their 2025 WAC Tournament quarterfinal game in Las Vegas. David Kadlubowski/GCU

GCU (30-2) is more concerned with a win putting them in position Saturday to secure the Lopes' first NCAA Division I tournament berth, but history can be a product if they extend their 28-game winning streak. It already is the longest active winning streak in the nation by six games.

"We're kind of lockstep right now," Lopes head coach Molly Miller said. "Those seniors lead the charge. You're survive and advance or lose and go home. They know what that means to them. It doesn't have to be said in our locker room. It's just a feel."

Friday's game will require beating an opponent for a third time, as GCU did Wednesday in a 71-47 blowout of Utah Tech. The Lopes defeated Utah Valley by 12 twice this season, but the teams have not played since Feb. 1.

The Wolverines, with a Division I-era program record of 18 wins, have won five of their last six games and avenged the only loss of that stretch on Thursday. Utah Valley beat Abilene Christian 75-65 in their quarterfinal game with six 3-pointers from Valley native Amanda Barcello.

"It's a credit to all the people on the team getting me open and finding me," Barcello said. "It's there. It's a rush. It's fun."

It will require the poise and experience of a group of senior and graduate players to handle Utah Valley's defensive pressure. Led by senior guard Ally Criddle's defense, the Wolverines rank second in the nation for steals per game (13.9) and sixth for opponent turnovers per game (23.7).

"Ally's just tough," Utah Valley head coach Dan Nielson said. "She might be the best on-ball defender in our league outside of maybe (GCU guard Trinity) San Antonio, who is really good too."

The Lopes have four All-WAC starters, but it senior guard and WAC All-Defensive Team member Callie Cooper who gets credit for pulling GCU through in-game challenges by repeating "next play" or "next shot" to her teammates.

"It's nice because we do have a player-led team," Miller said. "I think the leadership and the huddles can kind of rally the troops. In that moment, they're locked. They're locking eyes. They're nodding their heads. They're having good body language. Our leaders are saying next-play mentality."

GCU was last challenged deep into a game on Feb. 15, when UT Arlington last led the Lopes by three with six minutes to go at Global Credit Union Arena. With more wins this season than the prior two seasons combined, the Wolverines' confidence is riding high into Friday's semifinal.

"To be in this spot right now is a testament to the kids who have stuck around and not left, which is rare these days," Nielson said. "They have bought in to what we're doing. Our whole team is that way."

Friday, March 13 | Noon | WAC Tournament semifinal
Orleans Arena | Las Vegas

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Players Mentioned

Callie Cooper

Alyssa Durazo-Frescas

Grand Canyon University Athletics