GCU opens at home with 89-44 win

Friday, November 19

GCU

5:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-1

Queens College

1-3

Queens College

Grand Canyon

Rosalyn Nelson had 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in an 89-44 win over Queens College Friday.

11/19/2010 6:32:33 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Four score in double figures

By: Steve Heath

Grand Canyon jumped out early and never let up in an 89-44 victory over Queens College in the home opener of the GCU Tip-Off Classic at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.

In just over two minutes (17:51), the ‘Lopes (3-1) already had an 8-2 advantage. At the 14:15 mark, the lead had already reached double figures (18-7). GCU doubled Queens’ score at the 4:26 mark, 36-18, and by halftime, stretched the margin to 24, 46-22.

“It’s very important to get off to a good start,” said GCU junior center Jallisa Butler (Las Vegas, Nev., Cimarron, Barstow CC), who finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. “You don’t want to play catch up and we got our lead and kept our lead.”

Senior guard Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, AZ, Xavier Prep), who came in averaging 31.7 points per game, finished with a game-high 24 in only 23 minutes. Four players scored in double figures. Senior guard Rosalyn Nelson (Phoenix, AZ, Deer Valley) had 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Senior guard Kristi Girdley (Aliso Viejo, CA, Aliso Niguel)got her first start of the season and responded with 11 points and four assists.

“We came out with energy,” said Nelson, playing her first home game since injuring her knee in the 2008-09 season. “At home, you have to bring a lot of energy.”

Grand Canyon shot 49.3 percent from the field, 51.5 in the first half, and out-rebounded Queens College 57-31. Juniors Stevie Kamp (Mesa, Ariz., Mountain View, Nova Southeastern) and Joslynn Frazier (Sacramento, Calif., Burbank, College of Canyons), freshman Maylinn Smith (Gilbert, Ariz., Mesquite) and Murphy each had six rebounds.

In eight minutes, senior center Katie Johnson (Phoenix, AZ, Deer Valley, South Mountain CC) had eight points and four rebounds. Smith added seven points. Eleven different players scored.

Grand Canyon will play host to Southern Indiana, a winner over MSU Moorhead Friday, at 5 p.m. Saturday in the final women’s game of the classic. Admission is free to all GCU events. Fans unable to attend can keep up with all the action on GCULopes.com by clicking on the Live Video link and Live Stats link. Both are available on the home page and women’s basketball front page calendar as well as the women’s basketball schedule page.

Box Score