GCU scores 104 points in final game of 2010

Friday, December 31

GCU

2:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

12-1

104

Texas A&M International

2-11

TAMIU

Grand Canyon

104

Samantha Murphy had 29 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals in GCU's 104-67 win over Texas A&M International Friday.

12/31/2010 6:21:39 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

'Lopes win by 37 to wrap up non-conference schedule

By: Steve Heath

Nineteenth-ranked Grand Canyon won its 11^th straight game with a 104-67 victory over Texas A&M International at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.

It was GCU’s seventh straight win at home. The Antelopes finished the calendar year 25-4 and improved to 12-1 for the season.

The current winning streak equals the longest under head coach Trent May, whose club won 11 in a row during the 2008-09 season. In 2006-07, GCU won 17 straight. GCU’s first team, in 1988-89, had a 12-game winning streak.

“It was a great defensive effort,” said May, whose club helped force 33 turnovers and had 25 steals. “We have things to work on, but to close out the year (and non-conference schedule) and be where we’re at, we’re pleased, but our vision is looking ahead to the conference season.”

A 10-0 run after the game’s first timeout gave GCU a 19-10 lead it would never relinquish.

“We switched up our defenses, but otherwise, I think we just got tougher,” said senior guard Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, AZ, Xavier Prep).

Murphy and senior Rosalyn Nelson (Phoenix, AZ, Deer Valley) led the way. Murphy, the nation's leading scorer averaging 23.7 points per game, had 29 points, a career-high 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals. Nelson had 20 points, seven steals and six assists.

Freshman Maylinn Smith (Mesa, Ariz., Mesquite) added 20 points.

The ‘Lopes outrebounded Texas A&M International 48-37 and had 26 assists on 36 field goals.

“We all shared the ball and got it to the open players and we were able to get some steals and finally get our transition game going,” said Nelson.

It was the second time Grand Canyon had scored over 100 points. It set a school-record with 120 points in a triple overtime win over then-No. 11 UC San Diego.

Junior Stevie Kamp (Mesa, Ariz., Mountain View, Nova Southeastern) had a team-high eight rebounds and seven points. Kristi Girdley (Aliso Viejo, CA, Aliso Niguel) added nine points and four assists. Off the bench, Katie Johnson (Phoenix, AZ, Deer Valley, South Mountain CC) had seven points and six rebounds. Joslynn Frazier (Sacramento, Calif., Burbank, College of Canyons) added nine points.

“This was a great team win for us, probably one of our best performances in awhile,” added Murphy.

GCU will begin Pacific West Conference play Jan. 8 at Dixie State College.

Box Score