FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Dec. 27, 2024) – Following a break for the holidays, the Northern Arizona women’s basketball team resumes competition this week, facing in-state foe Grand Canyon. The Lumberjacks will make the short trip down to Phoenix, Ariz., to face the Lopes on Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Global Credit Union Arena at 2 p.m. Mountain Standard time. The game will also be broadcast on ESPN+.
Sunday’s contest marks the final non-conference matchup for the Lumberjacks, who sit at 9-3 on the year. Grand Canyon hosts Park Gilbert tonight (Dec. 27) before hosting NAU and are currently 11-2 this season with a 9-0 mark at home.
The ‘Jacks and Lopes have clashed 10 times, with NAU leading the all-time series 6-4. It’s the first meeting since the 2021-22 season when Northern Arizona picked up a victory at home. GCU has won four of the last five meetings, but the Lumberjacks won the first five meetings from 1988 to 1992 before the teams took a hiatus from playing each other. Most of the games have taken place in Flagstaff, with GCU leading the all-time series in Phoenix, 2-1. The teams have not met there since 2020-21, and NAU hasn’t won on the road since 1989-90, also falling in 2016-17.
Grand Canyon has won nine-straight heading into its Friday night contest. One of the victories came over Arizona, 69-66, on the road in Tucson. The Lumberjacks also handled the Wildcats on Nov. 20 in Flagstaff, winning 92-75. The Lopes haven’t lost since Nov. 18 at No. 23 Oregon.
GCU averages 76.8 points per game and ranks 19th in the country in field goal percentage at a 48.4 percent clip. Defensively, it ranks 31st in steals per game while forcing 20.8 turnovers per contest, only allowing 58.2 points per game. The Lopes also rank 35th nationally in three-point percentage (36.4%), and 17th in assists per game (18.6).
The Lopes are led by Alyssa Durazo-Frescas who ranks second in the nation with 48 three-pointers already this season, averaging 3.68 per game at a 45.7 percent clip. Laura Erikstrup ranks 25th in the country in field goal percentage (58.2%), and Tiarra Brown has 37 steals this season to rank 15th nationally.
Northern Arizona hasn’t played since Dec. 19 at Fresno State, where it put up one of the best defensive performances of the season but could never get the offense clicking in a 66-55 loss. Sophie Glancey picked up her eighth double-double of the season with a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds, also tying a career-high with four blocks.
Northern Arizona has won four of its last six games. This week, NAU checked in at No. 17 in the College Insider Mid-Major top 25, its eight-straight week in the rankings. They are also ranked 92nd in the NCAA Net Rankings.
Glancey has eight double-doubles on the year, ranking sixth in the nation. She leads the Big Sky with 18.0 points per game, scoring in double figures in 20-straight games dating back to last season. The junior ranks first in the league in blocks per game (1.7) and is second in rebounds (9.0) while ranking second in field goal percentage (51.9%).
In fact, NAU boasts three of the Big Sky’s top four scorers, as Taylor Feldman is second behind Glancey with 15.2 points per game. Nyah Moran is fourth with 15.0 points per game, scoring in double figures in nine out of the last 10 games. Feldman is also fourth in the Big Sky with 3.8 assists per game, while Nyah Moran is third in field goal percentage (43.4%).
Beattie adds 10.9 points per game which is 16th in the conference. She ranks 37th in the nation and leads the Big Sky with 32 three-pointers on the year, good for 2.7 per game. Beattie also leads the team in assists, dishing 4.4 per contest which is third in the Big Sky. Olivia Moran rounds things out with 8.6 points per game and is just 14 points away from joining NAU’s 1,000 career point club. Saniyah Neverson grabs 8.6 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Lumberjacks lead the league with 81.8 points per game but allow the most points in the Big Sky with 76.3. They also lead the Big Sky in three-pointers per game (8.6), are second in rebounding (44.7) and first in assist/turnover ratio (1.21), dishing a league-high 16.83 assists per game. NAU is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, ranking 11th in total team rebounds and fourth in defensive rebounds.
Northern Arizona opens Big Sky Conference play on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Idaho State before taking on Weber State on Jan. 4 in Ogden, Utah.
The Northern Arizona University men’s basketball team is set to face off against in-state rival Grand Canyon University to close out their non-conference play. The Lumberjacks have had a strong start to the season, with key wins against tough opponents and are looking to continue their momentum against the Antelopes. This game is sure to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams, so be sure to tune in and support your local squad as they battle it out on the court. Go Lumberjacks! #NAUStrong #BeatGCU
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NAU vs Grand Canyon, non-conference play, in-state rivals, college basketball matchup, NAU Lumberjacks, Grand Canyon Antelopes, Arizona basketball showdown
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