Seeding implications on deck for Lopes, Lobos Wednesday

Wednesday, February 18

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

New Mexico

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Phoenix, AZ Feb. 4,, 2026: The Lopes win 57-44 against San Diego State at Global Credit Union Arena

Seeding implications on deck for Lopes, Lobos Wednesday

2/17/2026 4:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Lopes victory jumps them to 5 seed, tiebreak over UNM

By: Nick Macdonald

Coming back home for the first time since Feb. 4, Grand Canyon hosts New Mexico Wednesday evening in a game that holds big seeding implications for the Mountain West tournament in March. Tip-off is on Arizona's Family Sports and the Mountain West Network.

AT A GLANCE

Five games remain in the 2025-26 regular season. The Lopes remaining five games are against teams they have defeated earlier this season.
Junior Julianna LaMendola is averaging 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in MW play, leading the team in both categories against league foes. LaMendola has notched four straight double-digit point games, and in that span, is averaging 18 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.
Sophomore Chloe Mann leads the Mountain West with an 85.2% free throw percentage. Mann has made 92 of 108 free throws and is 50th in the nation in free throw percentage.
The Lopes' rebounding numbers have gotten better and better as the season has progressed. GCU has pulled down 40+ rebounds in three of its past five games, with back-to-back double digit offensive rebounding nights. Its 2.6 rebound margin is fourth best in the conference.
Freshman Norah Moo has been a big contributor to GCU's rebounding success, totaling four straight games with at least six boards. Moo has 25 rebounds over her last four games played.
The Lopes' defense has averaged 16.7 forced turnovers per game, whereas it has pocketed 7.7 steals per game. Those numbers rank fourth in the league, with senior Anisa Jeffries leading the team in steals (42).

THIS GAME

Returning home for two straight, GCU heads into a critical stretch of the season with five regular season games remaining. Wednesday's contest could bump the Lopes to the five seed, with a win securing a sweep and tiebreak over New Mexico.
The Lopes have won four of its last five at home, including each of the last two.
GCU has held each of its last two opponents at home to less than 50 points.

SCOUTING NEW MEXICO

New Mexico enters Phoenix 17-9 overall and 9-6 in conference play, one game up on GCU in the Mountain West regular season standings in fifth.
UNM is 5-2 over its last seven games.
The Lobos are the league's number one rebounding team, averaging 39.4 boards per contest. They also rank first in offensive rebounds per outing with 13.2.
Defense is a highlight for the Lobos, who average 10 steals per game, a conference best. Their 17.0 turnovers forced per game is third best in the MW.
Laila Abdurraqib is fourth in the conference in three pointers per game (1.9), while Jessie Joaquim is fifth in rebounds per game (6.9).
New Mexico has tallied 260 steals this season, 76 more than its opposition. It also limits teams to 34.7 rebounds per game, owning a 1,024 to 901 margin in that category.
In its last four wins, UNM limited UNLV to 57 points Jan. 28, Utah State to 33 points Jan. 31, Wyoming to 51 points Feb. 4 and San Jose State to 61 points Feb. 11.
Wednesday's matchup is key to seeding for the MW Championship next month. A GCU win would propel the Lopes over UNM in the standings and own the tiebreaker with two wins during the regular season.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Lopes stay home and host Utah State Saturday, Feb. 21 at 12 p.m.
The game is the second to last at home this regular season. Coverage will be on Arizona's Family Sports and Mountain West Network.