No. 15 'Lopes Down Simon Fraser, 64-48

Sunday, December 18

GCU Arena

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-1

Simon Fraser

5-2

Simon Fraser

Grand Canyon

12/18/2011 3:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 15 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team won, 64-48, today against Simon Fraser at Grand Canyon University Arena in the first of two games against the Clan.

The victory pushed GCU’s record to 7-1 while Simon Fraser fell to 5-2 on the season. With the win, the Antelopes snapped a season-long three-game winning streak for the Clan.

“We played a good team today, they have some really tough players so I’m proud of our girls and their effort and the way we hung in there,” said head coach Trent May. “For most of the second half we had a double-digit lead and I’m proud of our composure and the way we hung on.”

GCU shot 80.0 percent (8-for-10) from the free-throw line and finished with a 43.5 mark (27-for-62) from the field. The ‘Lopes once again outrebounded their opponent, 43-37, including 16 offensive boards.

The ‘Lopes took a 36-24 advantage into halftime, led by Maylinn Smith’s 13 points and Angelina Dennison’s seven points. Smith’s three-pointer with just under two minutes left gave the ‘Lopes a 34-20 advantage to match their largest lead of the half. GCU also led by 14 points, 36-22, with 30 seconds remaining before the Clan scored the final two points of the half.

“Maylinn is a special player and she really has a knack for knowing where people should be on the floor and how to find them,” May said. “She knows how to put the ball in the basket and that doesn’t come easy and isn’t something you can easily teach. She has a good presence on the floor and is able to hit big shots and get other people involved. It is fun being able to watch her and coach her. When it is game time, she is there. Maylinn has a great head on her shoulders.”

GCU shot 48.4 percent from the field in the first half, including a 2-for-2 mark from the behind the arc and 4-for-4 at the free throw line.

The ‘Lopes never let up in the second half, outscoring the Clan 28-24, led by Petrolina Chilaka’s six points. The second half included back and forth scoring with no team stringing together more than a four-point run.

“We played a lot of players and were able to get a really good win today,” added May. “We did a good job defensively and as a coach every offensive rebound is magnified times four. Overall, we won the boards tonight and that was something we wanted to do. The team really shared the ball well and finished around the basket.”

GCU had seven players score at least five points, including four starters as Smith had 17, Chilaka had eight, Joslynn Frazier had seven and Stevie Kamp had five. Smith recorded her eighth consecutive game with double-digit scoring. Jenna Pearson led the team with 7 rebounds to go along with eight points. Chigozie Ekweozor also added six points.

“Tomorrow will be interesting given that you are playing the same team again,” said May. “You have to be ready to come out and play again.”

GCU will next be in action when they face off against Simon Fraser tomorrow night at 6 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena.

GCU 64, SFU 48