ASU women's basketball unable to counter Grand Canyon's attack in loss

Arizona State women’s basketball couldn’t repeat last year’s late-game heroics against Grand Canyon on Friday afternoon.

What started as a back-and-forth affair quickly turned into an offensive showcase by GCU as the Lopes held ASU to single digits in the third quarter. The Sun Devils were unable to make a comeback and fell 66-59 at Desert Financial Arena. 

The first quarter was highlighted by sloppy play from both teams that led to 13 combined turnovers. The Sun Devils converted five points off GCU’s six turnovers, while the Lopes scored eight points from seven turnovers. 

The offenses still managed to find the rim as both teams shot over 50% from the field. The Sun Devils were especially productive on the perimeter with three 3-pointers on five attempts. 

ASU cleaned up its performance in the second quarter with only two turnovers. ASU took advantage of GCU with three steals, while adding six points from GCU’s six turnovers. Jalyn Brown was the catalyst for the Sun Devils in the second quarter, scoring eight points on 4-of-7 shooting.

The Lopes countered with a balanced attack in the second half and held Brown to five points in the second half. 

"I felt like defensively, we just didn't have that tenacity today," ASU head coach Natasha Adair said. "I felt like there were opportunities and we wanted to limit their paint points, their second-chance opportunities, and I just thought a lot of moments, we were reactive defenders."

Key moments 

ASU let the third quarter slip away as GCU outscored the Sun Devils 17-7. ASU couldn’t find rhythm in the quarter, committing six turnovers and failing to solve GCU’s halfcourt defense.  

GCU guard Trinity San Antonio played a big role in the surge, including when she stole the ball and beat out ASU forward Jalyn Brown to the rim with a reverse layup for a 10-point lead at 1:33. 

The Lopes didn’t get a lot of looks in the fourth quarter, but kept the lead with their free-throw accuracy. GCU went 10-for-12 in the fourth quarter and finished 18-for-20 overall. 

ASU did a good job of protecting the perimeter against GCU in the first half, allowing one 3-pointer on five attempts. But the shots started falling for the Lopes later in the game, widening the gap even further. GCU went 3-for-9 behind the arc, including two from Naudia Evans. 

Top performers 

ASU guard Jaddan Simmons led with 20 points and five steals. Simmons helped the Sun Devils make a late push in the fourth quarter, going 3-for-3 from the field.

GCU forward Olivia Lane presented a matchup nightmare for the Sun Devils, scoring 12 of her 18 points from the free throw line. Lane recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds, 10 of which were defensive. 

GCU's Trinity San Antonio sparked the second half run from the Lopes with eight of her 10 points in the frame. San Antonio led with four assists.

They said it

"I think it's a great rivalry and you always want to play those crosstown rivalries. It's good energy in the building. We're going to continue that if they want to and we're not going to shy away from that. It kind of mirrored the same atmosphere in game from a year ago and that's something that if Molly (Miller) wants to do, we'll keep it in the schedule." — Adair on continuing the series with GCU.

"I've been working on being more lateral and being able to move and adjust quicker. On the offensive side, I've just been working on trying to be more consistent with my jump shot and going downhill." — ASU guard Trayanna Crisp on her second-year adjustments.

Up next 

ASU (7-3) will have a week off before beginning Pac-12 play by hosting Arizona on Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. The Sun Devils will then head to Footprint Center on Dec. 20 to face Fresno State in the Jerry Colangelo Classic. GCU's next game is Dec. 17 at Idaho.