PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Grand Canyon Antelopes used a dominant fourth quarter to defeat the Utah State Aggies 63-43 in a women’s basketball game Saturday at Grand Canyon University Arena. The teams were tied at 12 after the first quarter and Grand Canyon held a narrow 25-23 halftime lead. The Antelopes extended their lead slightly in the third before a 23-point fourth-quarter surge secured the victory. Rachel Wilson led Utah State with 16 points and eight rebounds. Julianna LaMendola paced Grand Canyon with 14 points and nine rebounds. Grand Canyon improved to 10-17 overall. Utah State dropped to 6-20.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the Grand Canyon Antelopes pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Utah State Aggies 63-43 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Grand Canyon University Arena. The contest was a rematch of a meeting just over three weeks prior, which Grand Canyon won by 20 points in Logan. This result followed a similar, if not more pronounced, script as the Antelopes used a dominant final period to secure the season sweep. For three quarters, Utah State managed to hang within striking distance despite profound difficulties on offense. The Aggies trailed by just five points, 40-35, entering the final frame. However, the game decisively turned in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Grand Canyon unleashed a 12-0 run, holding Utah State scoreless for over six minutes. The surge transformed a 44-38 lead into a commanding 56-38 advantage with 4:45 remaining, effectively extinguishing any hope of an Aggie comeback. The most important part of the game was this fourth-quarter explosion, fueled by Grand Canyon’s relentless defense and Utah State’s mounting mistakes. The Antelopes forced eight Utah State turnovers in the final period alone, converting them into easy transition opportunities. Grand Canyon scored 23 points in the quarter, nearly matching its total from the entire first half, while holding the Aggies to 12. Utah State’s offensive woes were comprehensive and persistent. The Aggies shot just 35.4% from the field and turned the ball over 23 times, leading to 22 points for Grand Canyon. Their offensive rating of 64.3 points per 100 possessions underscored a afternoon of stagnant execution. While Rachel Wilson provided a bright spot with 16 points and eight rebounds, she was one of only two Aggies to score in double figures, alongside Karyn Sanford’s 11 points. Grand Canyon, while not sharp from the perimeter either, leveraged its defense and superior work on the glass to create scoring chances. The Antelopes out-rebounded Utah State 45-30, including a decisive 15-7 edge on the offensive boards that yielded 13 second-chance points. Julianna LaMendola led a balanced scoring effort with 14 points and nine rebounds. The Antelopes also shared the ball effectively, registering 12 assists on 27 made field goals, and matched their season average for steals with 12. The game began as a low-scoring, grinding affair, with the teams tied 12-12 after one quarter. Grand Canyon eked out a 25-23 lead at halftime. The third quarter saw the Antelopes begin to create separation, outscoring Utah State 15-12 to take a 40-35 lead into the final break, setting the stage for the decisive run. With the victory, Grand Canyon improved to 10-17 overall. The Antelopes will look to build momentum as they travel to face Fresno State on Wednesday. Utah State, which has now lost seven consecutive games, fell to 6-20. The Aggies will attempt to halt their skid when they host New Mexico on Wednesday.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to halt late-season slides will meet Saturday when the Grand Canyon Antelopes host the Utah State Aggies in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game. The matchup at Grand Canyon University Arena is a rematch from Jan. 28, when the Antelopes (9-17) rolled to an 86-66 road victory. Both teams enter on losing streaks, with Grand Canyon having dropped three straight and Utah State (6-19) mired in a nine-game skid. Grand Canyon’s recent struggles include a narrow 70-68 home loss to New Mexico on Wednesday. Guard Chloe Mann has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 13.7 points and 5.0 assists over her last six games. In the first meeting against Utah State, Mann contributed 10 points and four assists in 25 minutes. Utah State is coming off a heartbreaking 58-56 loss at San Jose State on Wednesday. The Aggies have not won since Jan. 10. Guard Rachel Wilson, who scored a team-high 13 points in that narrow defeat, will be a key figure. Wilson was limited to four points in 14 minutes against Grand Canyon last month. While the Antelopes have the better overall record and won the previous matchup decisively, their recent form shows vulnerability. Their three consecutive losses have been by an average of just 4.3 points. Utah State, despite its long drought, has shown fleeting competitiveness, with four losses in its last nine games coming by 10 points or fewer. The game could hinge on Grand Canyon’s ability to capitalize on home court and contain Wilson, while the Aggies look to break their streak behind a more sustained defensive effort than in the teams’ first meeting.