GCU beats upset-minded AAU to win sixth straight

Monday, January 18

San Francisco, CA

W 70-62

Grand Canyon

11-5, 5-0

Academy of Art*

5-10- 1-3

Grand Canyon Univ

Academy of Art Univ

1/18/2010 9:53:49 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO -- Grand Canyon broke the game's eighth tie with 6:41 left in the second half and went on to win its sixth straight game, 70-62, over Academy of Art at Kezar Pavilion Monday.

GCU finished its three-game conference trip to the Bay Area 3-0 and is 5-0 in the Pacific West Conference. The 'Lopes play Notre Dame de Namur 5 p.m. Saturday at Antelope Gym.

"After being on the road for six days and playing your third game in six days, we feel fortunate to get a win," said GCU coach Trent May. "The girls gutted it out for the win. Arts did a good job and they're a well-coached team.

"We had to play 40 minutes tonight and we did. We showed championship character."

Junior guard Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier Prep) led with 17 points. Junior center Katie Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz./Deer Valley/S. Mountain CC) had 14 points on 7-for-10 shooting.

GCU is 11-5 overall. Academy of Art is 5-10 and 1-3 in the PacWest.

The 'Lopes trailed 30-28 at halftime. The score was tied, 47-47, when junior guard Katrina Graham (pictured, Mesa, Ariz./Desert Mountain/Mesa CC) made a layup. Academy of Art got within one, 51-50, with 5:54 to go, but GCU answered with a Murphy jumper and Johnson layup.

Senior guard Shareka Purnell (Dale City, Va./C.D. Hylton/UALR) and junior guard Kristi Girdley (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel) hit free throws down the stretch.

Senior Ashley Hardin (Phoenix, Ariz./Marcos de Niza/N. Arizona) had a team-high seven rebounds and seven points. Junior center Kia Gibson (Nine Mile Falls, Wash./Lakeside/N. Idaho) had 13 points. Graham finished with eight points. Purnell had eight assists and four steals. Murphy had seven assists and five steals. Senior Stacy Haddow (Chino Valley, Ariz./Chino Valley) had six rebounds and six points.