BAYLOR, Texas – Grand Canyon University’s women’s basketball team saw its NCAA Tournament run come to an end with a 73-60 loss to Baylor on Friday in the opening round of March Madness.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Lopes (32-3), seeded No. 13 in the tournament, played from behind for most of the first half. Baylor took its first lead with a 9-0 run in the final 3:35 before halftime, but GCU stayed within striking distance. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Sydney Erikstrup pulled the Lopes back within three, bringing the score to 31-28.
Grand Canyon’s hopes were lifted by a strong second-half performance from Trinity San Antonio. After sitting for the last 13 minutes of the first half due to foul trouble, the Lopes’ star guard erupted for 23 of her team-high 27 points in the second half, including 14 in the third quarter. Her offensive outburst helped keep the game competitive.
However, Baylor’s size and depth ultimately proved too much. The Bears worked the ball inside to 6-foot-3 senior center Aaronette Vonleh, who finished with a strong performance, including 5 of 7 free throws. Baylor also dominated the glass, out-rebounding GCU 44-33.
The Bears’ defense was key in shutting down the nation’s leader in 3-pointers per game, Alyssa Durazo-Frescas, limiting her to just three attempts from beyond the arc and forcing a scoreless performance from deep for only the second time this season.
The loss marks the end of GCU’s historic NCAA Tournament debut and ends their 30-game win streak. While disappointed with the outcome, the Lopes’ appearance in the tournament highlighted their growth as a program and their potential moving forward.
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Reporter Reyna Stanley covers the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X @rey_stanley776.
