(Las Vegas, NV) There was no turning back today for Grand Canyon University as they knew they had to win this game to get to the NCAA’s.
On the flip side, California Baptist wanted to keep their undefeated to keep their undefeated season alive as they head to the WNIT due to the transition from NCAA Division II to DivisionI and the mandatory sit out.
Both teams came out stride for stride just as expected. Early on the Lopes wanted to push the ball and keep CBU on their heels.
At the media timeout, Canyon held an 11-10 lead, and were 4-9 from the field while holding the Lancers on 2-10 shooting.
One of they keys for GCU was to keep the empty possessions to a minimum.
Cal Baptist was hitting the treys early as they hit the fourth one of the first quarter from Georgia Dale with 1:16 left.
The fifth Lancer three came on the next possession from Dorcas Wu but was answered quickly by Tianna Brown.
For Coach Molly Miller, hoped CBU couldn’t keep up the torrid shooting from beyond the arc. The Lopes kept pace with both teams at 38% shooting.
The Antelopes had to shore up the rebounding as they only got 5 rebounds to Cal Baptist’s 13.
The Threes contend to rain as the Lancers went up 27-16 at the second media timeout with 7:40 left in the half.
First possession out of the timeout the ball went deep into the post to Katie Scott who was automatic.
CBU went up by double digits on blow by Scott layup by Brittany Klaman. Lancers smelled blood and followed with another three by Sydney Palma to go up 32-18.
GCU still wasn’t extending their perimeter defense as the Lancers hit their ninth three of the first half. The Antelopes were playing with fire.
Grand Canyon survived the outside assault by the Lancers to trail 43-32 at the half, which is phenomenal considering CBU went 11-22 from three point land.
The Lopes effort on the glass needed to improve and they were getting worked on the boards 27-13.
Cal Baptist got 14 points from their bench in the first half. Canyon spread their scoring out by distributing the ball, but empty possessions were too many.
Lancer’s Coach Jarrod Olson refilled the tank as his team continued to shoot the three well.
CBU’s Brittany Thomas picked up her fourth foul with 6:01 left in the third quarter and went to the bench.
The media timeout with 4:02 to go still had GCU down by fourteen 52-38. The Antelopes were still outscored to start the half 9-6.
Coach Miller had to find the tourniquet and fast. Trading baskets would not get the Lopes back in the game.
Neither team torched the nets in the third quarter, as CBU outscored the Antelopes 12-9 to take a 55-41 lead into the final quarter.
Cal Baptist kept dangling the carrot but the Lopes couldn’t snatch it away.
Canyon still was only shooting 27% and GCU trailing 62-44 when Miller called a timeout with 6:18 left trying to find the rabbit in the hat.
Different lineup combinations still couldn’t find the basket with consistency as CBU ratcheted up their defense. You could tell that fatigue of playing their third game in four days was taking its toll on the Lopes.
The 4:53 final media timeout was anyone’s guess on what was said in the GCU huddle.
These Antelopes had given their all and the gas tank light was on and about to go empty.
CBU set their season high in three point baskets with 17 which was also a WAC Tournament record. Very few teams could have overcome a shooting performance like that.
The Lancer’s 18 turnovers and GCU 18 points scored off of them was one of the only reasons this game didn’t get more out of hand.
Scott and company left it all on the court today with her 21 points, but constant barrage of three’s from Cal Baptist was way too much to overcome as the Lopes fell 78-60.
So Utah Valley University will get the automatic NCAA bid from the Western Athletic Conference by backing in after losing to Grand Canyon yesterday because of their two late wins against Tarleton University and Chicago State not rescheduling their games with the Lopes.
So will the WNIT take a second team from the WAC? We will find out Tuesday night,
One other strange happening was that Katie Scott was mysteriously left off the All Tournament Team with Tiarra Brown getting the only GCU spot.
2021 WAC All Tournament Team:
Tiarra Brown, Grand Canyon
Shania Harper, NM State
Tiena Neale, California Baptist
Josie Williams, Utah Valley
MVP: Caitlyn Harper, California Baptist
