Grand Canyon Celebrates First Mountain West Conference Victory
Grand Canyon University (GCU) made history by securing its first-ever Mountain West Conference win against San José State. The Lopes won decisively with a score of 79-59 at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
From the start, GCU took command. They finished the first quarter ahead, 15-13, and extended their lead by halftime to 37-31. In the second half, they increased the gap even more, outscoring the Spartans 42-28.
Head coach Winston Gandy praised his team’s effort. “Everyone contributed,” he said. He noted that the game’s flow required adjustments from the team, and they responded well.
Junior guard Julianna LaMendola shone brightly, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. She shot impressively—10 for 14 from the field. “I’ve been working hard,” LaMendola said, highlighting her journey to find her rhythm.
LaMendola cherished the team’s chemistry, emphasizing that success stems from trusting each other. “Some days it’s one player, other days someone else steps up. It’s about finding the right balance on the court,” she explained.
Freshman Ines Zounia also contributed significantly with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Chloe Mann, a sophomore guard, had 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Casey Valenti-Paea added nine points off the bench.
Gandy noted the importance of ball movement in their victory. GCU recorded 19 assists on 30 baskets—a strong indicator of teamwork. He added, “While there were turnovers and fouls, we’re improving our connectivity.”
Statistically, GCU shot 46.9% from the field and 38.5% on three-pointers, holding San José State to just 28.8% shooting. They dominated points in the paint, scoring 38 to the Spartans’ 14, and led in assists and bench scoring as well.
San José State’s Maya Anderson was the top scorer for her team with 16 points, but the Lopes’ defense proved too tough, limiting the Spartans to only 17 made field goals.
This victory comes on the heels of a few close losses for GCU, including a heartbreaking one-point defeat in their conference opener. Following a 10-day break for the holidays, GCU looks to keep the momentum going as they prepare to face Colorado State on New Year’s Eve.
With this win, GCU not only achieved a milestone but also showed their potential to compete moving forward in the season.
For more detailed statistics and game analysis, check out the Mountain West Conference report here.
