'Lopes Score Season-High 81 Points in Win Over Cal State Stainslaus

Friday, December 9

San Francisco, CA

5:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-1

Cal State Stanislaus

2-4

Grand Canyon

Cal State Stanislaus

Erica Paskell

Photo by: Roy Dabner

'Lopes Score Season-High 81 Points in Win Over Cal State Stainslaus

12/9/2011 6:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 17 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated Cal State Stanislaus, 81-52, tonight in their first game of the PacWest/CCAA Challenge in San Francisco.

"Tonight's win felt really good," said head coach Trent May. "We tried not to emphasize getting off to a slow start as we have before so the players wouldn’t be tight. We focused on how to play the best basketball and have a concentrated effort. I am very pleased with their efforts tonight and that we were able to get off to a quick start."

The win improved the Antelopes’ overall record to 5-1. The Warriors dropped to 2-4 with the loss.

The ‘Lopes scored a season-high 81 points to win their first road contest this season and their eighth-straight regular season road game dating back to Jan. 18 of this year at Notre Dame de Namur.

"This first road win was good for our confidence," May said. "Sometimes playing in another environment can give a team the opportunity to relax and there was a sense of lightness about them can help them in a road game. They really played free and relaxed tonight."

GCU shot 54.3 percent from the field in the first half and posted a season-high 50.7 mark for the game, including a 7-for-13 performance from behind the arc. The ‘Lopes were also effective at the free throw line, making 6 of their 7 foul shots.

Grand Canyon led by as many as 36 points to post their most lopsided win of the season and outrebounded their opponent for the fifth time, 44-28.

The ‘Lopes got off to a quick start after taking an early 18-0 lead over the first eight minutes, led by four points apiece from Maylinn Smith, Jallisa Butler and Petrolina Chilaka. The fast start allowed GCU to head into the locker room at halftime with a comfortable 45-18 lead, their largest at the half this season. The Antelopes closed out the first half with a 10-2 run over the final five minutes with the aide of three-pointers from Smith and Erica Paskell.

"We had an 18-0 run there and as a coach, I am more excited about the zero in that run because I like to contribute that to defense and how well we rebounded," added May. "Overall, it was a really good game for us and we were able to play everyone. It was a great team effort and they really shared ball well."

Smith finished the game with a team-high 17 points in her sixth consecutive double-digit scoring effort after going 7-for-12 from the field. Butler once again dominated the glass for GCU, grabbing 13 rebounds while also contributing 12 points for her first double-double of the season. Chilaka also added a season-high 10 points to go along with a block and steal.

"Jallisa had a very solid game with her double-double," said May. "She is accustomed to doing that and it was a very nice game for her overall."

GCU received 33 points off the bench, led by Paskell’s season-high 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting and Jenna Pearson’s seven points.

Grand Canyon will be back in action when they face San Francisco State tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. Arizona time. GCU defeated the Gators, 68-43, on Nov. 25 at Grand Canyon University Arena.

GCU 81, CSUS 52