PHOENIX — Southern Utah will face arguably its toughest test yet in WAC play as it travels to Grand Canyon on Wednesday night. This game was expected to be a battle for 1st place in the conference. However, that changed when GCU lost to California Baptist on Saturday. A Thunderbird loss would now only create a tie for first with Stephen F Austin. A win gives SUU a 7-0 WAC record in their first season in the conference.
Last Time Out
SUU will have had six days off since its last game. Playing from behind nearly all game against Utah Tech, the Thunderbirds used a 17-2 4th quarter to complete the season sweep of the Trailblazers. Lizzy Willamson and Megan Jensen played the role of hero in St George with 35 combined points. Willamson also had 20 rebounds in the big win. It will take a combined effort from all five starters against a tough Grand Canyon team on Wednesday. Daylani Ballena, Samantha Johnston, and most notably Cherita Daughtery were all held to single digits in points.
Scouting the Lopes
Naudia Evans, Tiarra Brown, and Olivia Lane lead GCU in scoring this season. Evan Zars leads the Antelopes in rebounding averaging 7.2 RPG. While there is no player that is performing above everyone else in Phoenix, a very balanced effort was a main factor in the Lopes’ six-game winning streak. Additionally, GCU only held 69 points once in the win streak. In the loss to Cal Baptist, the Lopes still managed 70 points. A solid defensive effort while also displaying the offensive potential SUU has shown multiple times this season will be key to crashing the biggest party in college basketball and leaving with a W.