(Flagstaff, AZ) The Grand Canyon women’s basketball team fell to in-state rival Northern Arizona 108-77 on the road Thursday night.
Four Lopes scored in double figures led by junior forward Dominique Phillips’ 14 points. Freshman point guard Ja’Mya Powell-Smith posted 13 points, graduate forward Jay McChristine scored 12 and sophomore guard Tiarra Brown put up 10 points.
GCU started the scoring after junior guard Taylor Caldwell dished a perfect bounce pass into the paint to find McChristine for the layup.
The next few minutes went back-and-forth but at the 7:09 mark, the Lumberjacks took the lead for good when they hit their first of 12 three’s.
The Lopes fought back from a seven-point deficit to a one-point deficit with 2:25 to go in the first quarter, then NAU went on a 7-2 run to finish the first with a 26-20 advantage.
A 33-point performance by NAU in the second quarter compared to GCU’s 14-point quarter put the Lopes behind by 25 points at halftime.
NAU continued its lead outscoring GCU 23-16 in the third. The fourth quarter was the best offensive showing for the Lopes on the night as they put up 27 points, but it was not enough to come back against the Lumberjacks.
The Lumberjacks held their own against the Lopes’ defense, who led the nation in turnovers forced per game (28) and steals per game (17.7) coming into the Thursday’s game. GCU forced 16 NAU turnovers and had nine steals.
Up next, the Lopes head to Texas for the South Padre Island Classic for two games against Liberty and UT San Antonio on Dec. 17-18 before returning to GCU Arena on Dec. 23.
Press Release courtesy of Grand Canyon Athletics – Sierra Smith
