LAS VEGAS – Grand Canyon rallied from a halftime deficit for the first time all season to defeat Utah State, 75–58, in the first round of the 2026 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Utah State built the early advantage, taking a 19–15 lead after the first quarter and carrying a 33–31 edge into halftime. The Aggies maintained the lead midway through the third quarter before Grand Canyon used a strong closing stretch to take control. The Lopes outscored Utah State 23–16 in the third quarter and 21–9 in the fourth to pull away for the win.
Julianna LaMendola led Grand Canyon with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Norah Moo added 11 points and 12 rebounds as both recorded double-doubles. Karley Johnson finished with 13 points, Chloe Mann added 12, and Ines Zounia and Diamond Wright each scored 10 points to give the Lopes six players in double figures.
Utah State was led by Jamisyn Heaton, who scored 17 points, while Elise Livingston added 16 points and Ahliyah Gayles finished with nine points and four assists. Macie Brown contributed eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Grand Canyon shot 28-of-60 from the field (46.7 percent) and held a 45–25 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive rebounds, which led to 44 points in the paint.
With the win, Grand Canyon advances to the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Women’s Basketball Championship where it will take on third-seeded Colorado State.
