PHOENIX (Interstat) — A surging San Diego State women’s basketball team looks to continue its dominant season when it visits Grand Canyon for a rematch Wednesday night at GCU Arena.

The Aztecs (17-3), winners of nine straight, are heavy favorites against the Antelopes (8-14) in the teams’ second meeting this season. San Diego State won the first matchup 87-69 at home on Jan. 7.

San Diego State enters on the heels of a 67-54 victory over Nevada last Saturday, a game in which Bailey Barnhard (13 points) and Naomi Panganiban (16 points) led the scoring. The Aztecs’ streak has been built on defense, holding opponents to an average of 60.2 points during the run.

A key contributor has been guard Kaelyn Hamilton. Over her last seven games, Hamilton is averaging 8.3 points, including a 15-point effort in a narrow 46-44 win at Colorado State on Jan. 28. She scored eight points in the January win over Grand Canyon.

The Antelopes have shown recent improvement, securing back-to-back wins over Wyoming (57-47) and Utah State (86-66) last week. Their success is tied closely to the play of forward Julianna LaMendola, who is coming off a 19-point, 9-rebound performance against Wyoming. LaMendola, who recorded a triple-double (14 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists) in a win at New Mexico on Jan. 17, was held to eight points but dished six assists in the earlier loss to the Aztecs.

Grand Canyon will need a similar defensive effort to its last outing, where it held Wyoming to 47 points, to challenge a deep and efficient San Diego State offense averaging 73.1 points per game.

Wednesday’s contest is the final non-conference game for both teams before they resume their respective league schedules. San Diego State visits San Jose State on Saturday, while Grand Canyon travels to face Air Force.