GCU solely in second after win over Dixie State

Saturday, January 30

GCU

W 78-67

Grand Canyon

12-6, 6-1

DIXIE STATE*

9-7, 5-2

Dixie State

Grand Canyon

1/30/2010 11:56:24 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

In a battle for second place in the Pacific West Conference, Grand Canyon defeated visiting Dixie State 78-67 at Antelope Gym Saturday.

The 'Lopes (12-6, 6-1) shot 51.9 percent for the game and outrebounded the Red Storm 42-31 to help negate 27 turnovers and an 18-attempt discrepancy at the free-throw line.

Junior Katrina Graham (Mesa, Ariz./Desert Mountain/Mesa CC) made 7-of-10 field-goal attempts and had a season-high 17 points.

"It was good to bounce back after (losing) our last home game," said GCU head coach Trent May. "We're back in second and closer to first than we would be if we lost.

"Dixie is a tough opponent and it's good to get a win. We had a good effort in practice this week and we learned a lot of things about ourselves."

GCU and Dixie State meet in St. George, Utah Feb. 6.

Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier Prep) had 14 points and moved up to second on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,192. She passed senior guard Rosalyn Nelson (Phoenix, Ariz./Deer Valley), who has 1,184 and is currently out with an injury.

Murphy is 89 points away from the school's all-time record held by Jennifer Cobb (1,281), who played from 2002-07.

Senior Ashley Hardin (pictured, Phoenix, Ariz./Marcos de Niza/N. Arizona) had 11 points, five rebounds and three steals. Senior Stacy Haddow (Chino Valley, Ariz./Chino Valley) had nine points and seven rebounds. Junior Katie Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz./Deer Valley/S. Mountain CC) had eight rebounds. Junior center Kia Gibson (Nine Mile Falls, Wash./Lakeside/N. Idaho) had seven points. Junior guard Kristi Girdley (pictured on main page, Aliso Viejo, Calif./Alison Niguel) had five points.

Johnna Brown of Dixie State led all scorers with 24 points.
(Photos by Tim Koors)