Defending champs open PacWest season with win

Thursday, January 7

GCU

W 104-60

Grand Canyon

7-5, 1-0

104

CHAMINADE*

1-8, 0-1

Chaminade

Grand Canyon

104

1/7/2010 7:35:27 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

In impressive fashion, the three-time defending Pacific West Conference champion Grand Canyon University women's basketball team defeated Chaminade 104-60 Thursday at Antelope Gym.

Junior center Kia Gibson (Nine Mile Falls, Wash./Lakeside/N. Idaho) had a career-high 23 points. She hit 8-of-10 field goals and was 7-of-7 at the free-throw line.

Three other Antelopes scored in double figures. Junior guard Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier Prep) had 14. Senior forward Ashley Hardin (Chandler, Ariz./Marcos de Niza/N. Arizona) had 13 and senior guard Shareka Purnell (Dale City, Va./C.D. Hylton/UALR) had 10.

"It was a really good effort and we stayed mentally sharp throughout the game," said GCU head coach Trent May.

Hardin added six rebounds and six assists. Off the bench, Kristi Girdley (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel) had a career-high eight assists. Junior center Katie Johnson (pictured, Phoenix, Ariz./Deer Valley/So. Mtn. CC) and sophomore Steffani Liscum (Tucson, Ariz./Marana) had career-highs with seven rebounds each. All 13 players that played scored.

Grand Canyon had a season-high 29 assists on 38 made field goals.

"One big factor was 29 assists," added May. "I'm thrilled to death with that. When a team shares the ball like that you can't be anything but pleased.

"Unselfishness is a great characteristic for our team."

GCU (7-5, 1-0) plays host to BYU-Hawaii 5 p.m. Saturday at Antelope Gym.