San Antonio, Erikstrup lead Grand Canyon to 30th straight win and first trip to NCAA Tournament

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Grand Canyon guard Trinity San Antonio, center right, who was named most outstanding player, celebrates with Alyssa Durazo-Frescas, center left, after their victory over Texas-Arlington after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

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Grand Canyon players celebrate after their victory over Texas-Arlington after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

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Grand Canyon players celebrate after their victory over Texas-Arlington by punching their ticket for the NCAA Tournament after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

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Grand Canyon players celebrate their victory over Texas-Arlington after an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

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Texas-Arlington head coach Shereka Wright, center right, shouts to her team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Grand Canyon in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

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Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller shouts to her team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas-Arlington in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

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Grand Canyon guard Trinity San Antonio, foreground, celebrates with her most outstanding player award after defeating Texas-Arlington in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trinity San Antonio scored 19 points, Laura Erikstrup added 17 points and Grand Canyon advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time with a 65-62 victory over UT Arlington in the WAC Tournament championship game on Saturday.

The Lopes (32-2) extended their nation’s longest and WAC-record win streak to 30 games, but they had to survive a late threat from the Mavericks.

UT Arlington’s Taliyah Clark buried a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left and Grand Canyon led 63-62. After a timeout, the Lopes worked the shot clock and Callie Cooper missed a contested layup with seven seconds left. UTA’s Avery Brittingham rebounded but lost the ball on a steal by Cooper.

Cooper was fouled with two seconds left and made both free throws. UTA’s Nya Threatt then missed a long 3-pointer as time ran out.

San Antonio had seven rebounds and nine assists but also 12 of the Lopes’ 23 turnovers. Erikstrup made 8 of 9 shots and grabbed seven rebounds. Tiarra Brown had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Koi Love scored 21 points, Brittingham 12 and Clark 11 for UT Arlington (17-13). Love had 11 of the Mavericks’ 27 turnovers.

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Erikstrup scored six points early in the third quarter to help Grand Canyon go ahead 31-27. The lead didn’t last long as UT Arlington reeled off the next 14 points. The Mavericks gave up the lead but had a strong finish to the quarter to lead 48-44 heading to the fourth.

A 10-2 run got Grand Canyon back in front 54-50 midway through the fourth. San Antonio hit a jumper and 3 of 4 free throws, giving Grand Canyon a 63-59 lead with 45 seconds left to set up the dramatic finish.

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