2024-25 WAC WBB Week 15 Release

GRAND CANYON RECEIVES AP POLL VOTE FOLLOWING 20TH STRAIGHT WIN
Following Grand Canyon's 20th consecutive win on Saturday against California Baptist, the Lopes earned their first ever AP Top 25 vote in the D1 era. The Lopes remained third in the Mid-Major Top 25 Poll and reached their highest ranking in the NET, climbing to 65th. GCU continued to hold the second longest active win streak behind UCLA (23) as the Lopes have not lost a game since Nov. 18 at Oregon. GCU also improved its perfect home record to 15-0, setting a single-season program record for home wins that surpassed the 2010-11 season with 14. The home record will be tested as the Lopes will face arguably their toughest weekend of conference hoops where GCU will host Tarleton State and UT Arlington, the third and second place teams in the WAC standings.
 
UT ARLINGTON CLAIMS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY
UT Arlington extended its winning streak to six games after a pair of wins against Utah Valley and Seattle U and improved to 9-1 in WAC play, its best start to conference play in 16 years. The Lady Mavs also remained perfect at home with a 10-0 record at the College Park Center, the best start at home for UTA since the 2004-05 season. The Lady Mavs split their season series with UVU on Thursday with a gritty 85-83 win as UTA got its payback on the Wolverines. Senior guard Taliyah Clark recorded her best weekend on the year, averaging 21.0 points per game and shooting 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from beyond the arc. Clark tied her season-high of 24 points, five 3-point field goals, seven free-throws made, and two blocks against Utah Valley.
 
TARLETON STATE'S HISTORIC WIN STREAK
Tarleton State claimed two wins last week against Seattle U and Utah Valley to stretch its winning streak to five games, the first time the Texans have ever won five consecutive contests in the D1 era. Tarleton State also won its 11th home game this year, the most home wins since the 2019-20 season and the first time the Texans have posted double-digit home wins in the D1 era. This week's WAC Player of the Week, Jakoriah Long, tallied back-to-back 25-point outings last week as she became the first Texan to accomplish the following: register two consecutive 25-point games, record back-to-back games with six or more 3-pointers, and make seven 3's in a single game (vs Seattle U).
 
ABILENE CHRISTIAN SNAPS LOSING SKID WITH TWO HOME W's
The Wildcats bounced back from three consecutive losses with two wins on their home court against Utah Tech and Southern Utah. Abilene Christian, who has been without starters Payton Hull and Mia Rivers for the last six contests, got a pair of big performances from senior guard Bella Earle who averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from the floor. Sophomore forward Emma Troxell also stepped up against Utah Tech as she sank a career-high five 3-pointers for a career-high 19 points. Sophomore center Meredith Mayes continues to lead the WAC in field goal percentage in conference play as she shoots 68.9 percent on the court (51-of-74).
 
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST GETS ITS THUNDERBIRD REVENGE
After dropping a dramatic ending to Southern Utah in the first meeting this season, California Baptist went to the Thunderbirds' home court and got its revenge with a 69-66 road win last Thursday. Junior forward Grace Schmidt secured the victory with a game-winning layup with five seconds remaining on the clock. The Lancers benefited from a huge third quarter rally where CBU outscored SUU 21-8. Senior guard Nhug Bosch Duran matched her career-high 20 points in the game and totaled a game-high four steals.