No. 12 'Lopes Win Ninth Straight Game, Improve to 5-1 in PacWest Play

Thursday, January 19

GCU Arena

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

13-1, 5-1

Hawai'i Hilo

7-7, 4-2

Hawai'i Hilo

Grand Canyon

Angelina Dennison's three-point play sparked a rally for the 'Lopes during the second half of their 49-40 win over Hawai'i Hilo.

No. 12 'Lopes Win Ninth Straight Game, Improve to 5-1 in PacWest Play

1/19/2012 5:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 12 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team won their ninth consecutive game with a 49-40 victory over Hawai’i Hilo tonight at Grand Canyon University Arena. The win improved the Antelopes to 13-1 overall and 5-1 in PacWest Conference play. The Vulcans fell to 7-7 and 4-2 in the conference.

The ‘Lopes shot 43.5 percent from the field and converted 7 of their 11 free throw attempts (72.7 percent). For the 13^th time, GCU outrebounded their opponent as they improved to 12-1 in those contests.

GCU was led by Maylinn Smith's 14 points, the 13^th time this season she has reached the double-digit scoring mark. She scored 12 of her points in the second half, during which the ‘Lopes outscored the Vulcans 27-19. Joslynn Frazier led the ‘Lopes on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds and adding six points. Jallisa Butler chipped in with 10 points.

“We really kept our composure tonight,” said head coach Trent May. “The girls did a good job of controlling the game during the last five or six minutes. They shared the ball well and played with more confidence during the second half.”

The two teams battled back and forth in the first period, with neither leading by more than three points. The Vulcans put the first points on the board with a three-pointer in the 18-minute mark. GCU took their first lead of the game at 14-13 with 8:49 remaining and grabbed the first-half lead for good with just under five minutes.

The ‘Lopes went into the half with their smallest lead of the season with an advantage of 22-21. GCU has not trailed at the half in any of their 14 contests this season. The 22 points were the fewest they have scored in the first half this season despite posting a 45.0 fielding percentage (9-for-20). GCU had previously scored 25 points in their 54-46 victory over San Francisco State on Dec. 10, 2011 in San Francisco.

Butler led the ‘Lopes in scoring at the half with six points, while Frazier and Petrolina Chilaka each added four points.
“The way that they responded after that close first half was excellent,” added May. “They stood by each other and played much better down the stretch.”

The second half opened in similar fashion, as the teams shared baskets over the first five and a half minutes before the Vulcans reclaimed the lead at 29-28. Angelina Dennison converted a three-point play with just under 10 minutes left to give GCU a three-point lead at 35-32. That would prove to be the turning point as the ‘Lopes then used a 10-4 run to extend their lead to nine points with just over two minutes remaining.

“When the basket went in and then I made the free throw, that put the momentum on our side,” said Dennison. “They had been scoring and it felt like we hadn’t scored in a while. It was definitely a spark for us."

GCU allowed just four points to the Vulcans over the final five and a half minutes to hold on for the win.

“We stayed sound defensively, so we didn’t give them chances to shoot too many free throws,” May said. “That was key for us. In a physical game, you don’t want to get into a free throw shooting contest and get in foul trouble. I think we did a very good job of fighting through at the end of the game.”

GCU will next be in action when they welcome Hawai’i Pacific to GCU Arena on Jan. 24. Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m.

GCU 49, UHH 40