Lopes return to Phoenix, host Fresno State on Saturday

Saturday, January 10

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

Fresno State

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Photo by: Jayden Todd

Lopes return to Phoenix, host Fresno State on Saturday

1/9/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

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GCU will showcase debut of lavender jerseys for MW hoop doubleheader

By: Nick Macdonald

Grand Canyon begins a home basketball doubleheader Saturday, tipping off against Fresno State at 1 p.m. on Arizona's Family Channel 3 and the Mountain West Network. The Lopes' women's and men's teams will debut their new lavender jerseys at Global Credit Union Arena.

AT A GLANCE

The Lopes will play in Phoenix for the first time in 2026 on Saturday afternoon, when their game precedes a 6 p.m. men's conferene game against San José State.
GCU senior Anisa Jeffries has swiped 10 steals over her past four games, totaling 29 for the season to lead the squad. Her 1.9 steals per game is sixth best in the Mountain West. Jeffries has notched eight games with two or more steals.
The Lopes have 37 more offensive rebounds than their opposition this season, with a plus-20 margin against Mountain West teams. Jeffries leads the team with 15 offensive boards against conference opponents, while the team has had double-digit offensive rebounding totals in each of the past five contests.
Sophomore guard Chloe Mann is the GCU leader in points at 14.6 per game, totaling double digits in 12 of 15 contests. Mann has been exceptional from the free throw line, shooting 89.1% (57 of 64). Her free throw percentage ranks 21st in the nation and leads the Mountain West.
The Lopes are shooting 75.6% from the charity stripe, a Mountain West best. The team has shot 70% or better in 10 games of at least 10 attempts and is shooting 80% in Mounatin West play.
Junior guard Julianna LaMendola is averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game against MW opponents. She is shooting a team-best 53% from the floor and is coming off a season-best six assists at San Diego State, her third game this season with five or more assists.

THIS GAME

Grand Canyon returns to Global Credit Union Arena for two consecutive games, the first starting Saturday versus Fresno State.
It is the second-ever meeting between the two programs and first as Mountain West opponents.
Fresno State and GCU are two of five teams tied at 2-3 in the Mountain West standings. The top four teams in the regular-season standings will earn a first-round bye in the MW Championship.

SCOUTING FRESNO STATE

Fresno State is .500 on the season, holding an 8-8 record and 2-3 conference record. Fresno State is one of five teams (including GCU) at 2-3 in the league standings.
The Bulldogs are 1-6 on the road, with its last road win coming Nov. 7 in Bakersfield, California.
Fresno State forces 21 turnovers per contest, 40th best in the nation and first in the MW. Its turnover margin of pluw-3.9 per game ranks third best in the conference.
Emilia Long is swiping 2.6 steals per game, ranking first among all Mountain West players. Jaisa Gamble joins her in the top five at 2.0 per game to help the team rank 39th in the nation at 11.3 steals per contest.
Long is also one of the best passers in the conference, dishing out 3.6 assists per game to rank second in the MW. She is also the team's leading scorer at 12.8 points per game.
Fresno State is 0-2 against common nonconference opponents, losing to Santa Clara and Saint Mary's on the road.

WHAT'S NEXT?

GCU stays home and hosts Nevada on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
It is the first time playing the Wolf Pack as members of the Mountain West and first time overall since 2014.