GCU Takes Share of First With Win Over HPU

Thursday, February 17

GCU

5:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

21-2, 9-1

Hawai'i Pacific

16-5, 10-2

Hawai'i Pacific

Grand Canyon

Freshman Maylinn Smith had 13 points in Thursday's win against HPU.

2/17/2011 10:02:51 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Murphy sets single-season scoring record

By: Steve Heath

GCU set a single-season record for home victories (12) and extended its home winning streak (13) in a 70-60 Pacific West Conference win over Hawai’i Pacific at Antelope Gymnasium Thursday.

The win put the 10th-ranked Antelopes into a first-place tie with Hawai’i Pacific and Dixie State. GCU is 21-2 overall and 9-1 in the PacWest. HPU is 16-5 and 10-2. Dixie State is also 9-1 in the conference.

“Every win is a big win,” said senior Katie Johnson, who came off the bench to score 10 points and grab seven rebounds. “We stayed together as a team. Our defense wasn’t always good at times, but we never gave up and we fought until the end.”

Grand Canyon led by 11 in the first half, but the Sea Warriors cut it to three at the break and took a lead as late as the 10:44 mark, 42-41.

A driving layup by freshman Jenna Pearson was followed by a Samantha Murphy jumper – aided by a strong screen from Joslynn Frazier – to help the momentum swing toward the Antelopes. To help close out the win, GCU hit 15-of-16 free throws in the final 5:57.

GCU coach Trent May commended HPU for its defensive work on All-America candidate and nation-leading scorer Murphy, who still finished the contest with 20 points, including 12-of-12 at the free-throw line. “She still scored 20 ... and we had other players step up.”

Along with Johnson, off the bench freshman Maylinn Smith had 13 points, including two 3-pointers. Jallisa Butler added 10 points and seven rebounds. Rosalyn Nelson had a game-high five assists. Junior Stevie Kamp also had seven boards.

“Guts,” answered Smith on the key to Thursday’s win. “This was a tough game and a big win for us.”

For Murphy, her hard-earned 20 points gave her the GCU single-season record for points in a season. She has 580 with six regular-season games remaining.

“Every game, we’re thinking of it as a championship game,” said Murphy. “We’ve got to win out and keep improving our spot in the region.”

GCU currently holds the No. 5 spot in the West Region. The PacWest champion, as well as, conference tournament champions of the California Collegiate Athletic Conference and Great Northwest Athletic Conference get automatic bids into the eight-team field.

GCU will honor seniors Johnson, Murphy, Nelson and Kristi Girdley on Senior Day Saturday. It is also Grand Canyon Homecoming. The Antelopes will take on Hawai’i-Hilo at 3 p.m.

Box Score