Grand Canyon loses first PacWest contest

Saturday, January 23

GCU

L 61-63

Grand Canyon

11-6, 5-1

NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR*

7-9, 3-2

Notre Dame de Namur

Grand Canyon

1/23/2010 8:08:33 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Grand Canyon dropped its first Pacific West Conference game, 63-61, to Notre Dame de Namur at Antelope Gym Saturday.

GCU (11-6, 5-1) trailed much of the night, but had the lead as late as the 1:20 mark of the second half before NDNU took the lead for good on a Kim Hom 3-pointer with only 51 seconds left in the game.

"They did a fantastic job," praised GCU coach Trent May of the Argonauts. "They didn't do anything out of the ordinary (defensively). We just couldn't get in sync."

NDNU improved to 7-9 and 3-2.

GCU junior guard Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier Prep) had a game-high 19 points and six steals.

Grand Canyon trailed by as much as 10 points in the first half, when it made 13 of its 19 turnovers.

"The key for us was turnovers," added May. "We had 13 in the first half. We had only six in the second half, but we had already dug ourselves a hole."

Senior Stacy Haddow (Chino Valley, Ariz./Chino Valley) hit a layup with 1:20 left to give the 'Lopes a 59-58 lead. Aftter Hom's trey and one of two free throws from Laura Zasly, GCU got within one, 62-61, on a layup from junior Katrina Graham (Mesa, Ariz./Desert Mountain/Mesa CC) with just 19 seconds to go. Zasly hit one of two free throws, again, but GCU was unable to hit the tying or go-ahead basket on its final offensive trip.

GCU senior Ashley Hardin (pictured, Phoenix, Ariz./Marcos de Niza/NAU) and Haddow each had nine points. Kia Gibson (Nine Mile Falls, Wash./Lakeside/N. Idaho) had eight points and six rebounds. Hardin also had six rebounds.

Katie Zasly led the Argonauts with 18.

GCU plays host to Dixie State Jan. 30 at 5 p.m.
(Photos by Tim Koors)