San José State University’s women’s basketball team will conclude its regular-season road schedule on Saturday, February 28, facing Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix. The matchup at Global Credit Union Arena marks the first time the Spartans have played GCU on their home court.
The Spartans hold a 4-25 overall record and are 2-16 in Mountain West Conference play. They are still seeking their first road victory this season. In their previous meeting with GCU earlier this season on December 28, San José State lost 79-59. Maya Anderson led the Spartans in that game with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Allie Cummins contributed 14 points and four assists.
Grand Canyon enters the contest with an 11-17 overall record and is sixth in the Mountain West standings at 10-8. The Lopes have won two straight games, most recently defeating Fresno State 57-42 and Utah State 63-43. Winston Gandy is serving his first season as head coach for GCU.
Although this is San José State’s first matchup against GCU at their arena, it is not their initial appearance at the venue. During the COVID pandemic in the 2020-21 season, restrictions forced SJSU to temporarily relocate operations to Phoenix. The team played one game at GCU Arena during that period and secured a win over Utah State.
Statistically, San José State ranks among the top teams nationally in several categories as of February 25: they are ranked No. 63 in blocks per game (4.0), No. 32 in three-point attempts per game (25.3), and No. 100 in three-pointers made per game (7.1). Individually, Maya Anderson stands at No. 29 nationally for field goal attempts with 413, while Gabriela Pato ranks No. 84 for blocked shots with a total of 37 this season.
The Spartans’ defensive efforts include recording a season-high nine blocks against Pepperdine on November 23—matching both the highest total by any Mountain West team this year and San José State’s own best since January of 2016 against Air Force.
Gabriela Pato leads SJSU in blocks with four apiece against Saint Mary’s and Nevada; Kaliyah Dillard follows with a total of twenty-four blocks so far this season; Amira Brown and Amelie Sitterud have each recorded ten blocks.
In their most recent outing at Nevada on February 25, San José State registered eight blocked shots—six coming during the opening quarter—with Pato tying her career high of four blocks.
San José State will wrap up its regular season Tuesday, March 3, hosting Colorado State at Provident Credit Union Event Center where seniors Katarina Anderson, Amira Brown, and McKenna Simons will be honored before tip-off.
