PHOENIX — Utah Valley University saw its three-game win streak snapped, 71-59, at Grand Canyon University on Thursday night at Global Credit Union Arena in WAC women's basketball action.
Tahlia White scored 16 points to lead the UVU but GCU earned the win behind 41 combined points from Laura Erikstrup and Trinity San Antonio, both of whom were 9-for-13 from the field. Erikstrup also had 22 points and 10 rebounds while San Antonio finished with 19. The Wolverines (9-5, 1-1) found themselves playing from behind after a strong opening quarter from the Lopes (15-2, 2-0), who won their 13th straight game overall.
"I really thought after the first quarter that we played quality basketball," said UVU head coach
Dan Nielson. "We dug ourselves a hole, and not making free throws makes it hard to close that gap, especially with a team as good as GCU. I was pleased with our effort and execution throughout much of this game. Now we have another tough test on Saturday that we will rest up and prepare for on short rest and see how we respond."
The Lopes got going offensively early and, combined with nine UVU turnovers in the opening quarter, built a 25-10 lead after one. GCU had a stretch of seven straight makes in the first, with nine points coming off the turnovers.
The Wolverines quickly chipped into the deficit in the second, scoring the first nine points of the quarter to get back within six, 25-19.
Halle Nelson hit a corner triple and White had three points on a bucket and foul. Grand Canyon extended back to 11 with the next five points and the Lopes' lead hovered between eight and 12 the rest of the half with the Wolverines trailing 38-27 at the break.
White got going early in the third, scoring six straight points to trim a 13-point deficit to seven, 40-33. Down 10, 40-30, late in the quarter, Nelson buried another 3-pointer and
Saige Gibb hit a free throw to get UVU within six. San Antonio hit a free-throw line jumper with 12 seconds left to give the Lopes a 52-44 lead after three.
In the fourth, Utah Valley didn't let the game get away but couldn't closer than six points.
Amanda Barcello, playing near her hometown of Chandler, had five straight points capped by a 3-pointer that got UVU within seven, 64-57, with 4:13 left. Grand Canyon responded with a 5-0 spurt to stretch it back to 12 and put the game out of reach.
The Wolverines were 19-for-44 overall (43.2%) from the field and hit 6-of-17 from three. The Lopes hit 51.9% for the game (28-for-54), including 12-for-19 in the second half.
Utah Valley will now head to Riverside to take on California Baptist to close out the three-game road stretch to begin the WAC season. Tip-off Saturday is set for noon PT/1 p.m. MT.
