GCU Evens Conference Record With Win Over Dominican

Tuesday, January 3

San Rafael, CA

6:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-1/1-1

Dominican

1-10/0-1

Grand Canyon

Dominican (CA)

Petrolina Chilaka and Angelina Dennison each had a season-high 11 points.

1/3/2012 7:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 15 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated Dominican, 62-34, tonight at the “Igloo” in San Rafael, Calif. in their first road conference contest of the season. The win improved the Antelopes’ road record to 3-0 and evened their PacWest Conference record at 1-1.

“We talked about having high energy from the start,” said head coach Trent May. “I liked that we attacked the basket early and did not rely on outside shots. We did a really good job of that early in the game. Defensively, we held them to four points for a long time. Overall, especially after a long break, I am definitely pleased with the 40 minutes we played.”

The ‘Lopes improved their overall record to 9-1 on the season, while the Penguins fell to 1-10 and 0-1 in conference play. The game was GCU’s first since a 65-57 overtime win over Simon Fraser at Grand Canyon University Arena on Dec. 19.

“I was a little nervous coming into our first game after the long break,” said Angelina Dennison. “But we talked about being focused and intense and we gave a great effort. We are trying to start the New Year off strong.”

GCU held their opposition to a season-low 34 points, their fewest allowed since an 85-20 win vs. Southwestern on Jan. 21, 2006. Entering tonight’s game, the ‘Lopes were fourth among all Division II teams with 50.4 points-allowed-per-game.

Jallisa Butler led the ‘Lopes with 16 rebounds, while Dennison and Petrolina Chilaka each finished with a season- and game-high 11 points.

“Jallisa is explosive around the glass and has great hands,” added May. “You can’t shy away from 16 rebounds because that is truly a great effort. It is a good night when you have three players with almost double-digit rebounds. Petrolina also did a good job and added a quick spark for us tonight.”

The ‘Lopes outrebounded their opponent for the ninth time, 55-29, and are 8-1 in those contests. GCU also improved to 4-0 in games decided by 16 or more points.

“When it is time for me to play, rebounding is what I think about,” said Butler. “I try to set new goals every time I rebound because I want every rebound to be mine. When we came back from break, we were mentally there and knew what we had to do to work hard and concentrate to get the win.”

GCU went on a 10-0 run over the first four minutes, led by six points from Chilaka, a layup by Maylinn Smith and two points off the hands of Joslynn Frazier before allowing the Penguins to score. The ‘Lopes were 9-for-9 from the field during an 18-4 run in the first five minutes before missing their first shot, over which Chilaka and Jenna Pearson each went 3-for-3.

“We talk a lot about getting rebounds because that will give you more opportunities on offense,” added Dennison. “Jallisa gives us those opportunities because she is a great rebounder.”

Dennison led the ‘Lopes into the locker room with nine points at the half, followed by Smith’s eight points and six points apiece from Chilaka and Pearson.

“Angelina is finding her role and adding great value off the bench,” May said. “Jenna has also embraced that role. They are good sparks off the bench. We have girls that could be starting that aren’t, but that allows us to have great depth.”

The ‘Lopes allowed a season-low 13 points to the Penguins in the half and have outscored their opponents 316-210 in the first half of their 10 regular season games. GCU’s 22-point advantage heading into the half (35-13) was their second-largest of the season, trailing only their 27-point advantage entering the second half on Dec. 9 vs. Cal State Stanislaus in San Francisco, Calif.

GCU opened the second half on a 6-0 run and coupled with a 13-0 stretch beginning with 1:28 left in first half, the ‘Lopes extended their lead to 41-13 with 18 minutes remaining. Stevie Kamp scored each of her six points during an 8-2 stretch to begin the second half with GCU leading 43-15.

GCU will next be in action when they travel to Notre Dame de Namur on Jan. 5. The Argonauts handed GCU their first conference loss, a 63-59 decision on Dec. 3. Tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m.

“We want to beat them,” added Butler. “But it is not anything different from what we have been doing. We will go into it the same way we would any other game and play hard.”

GCU 62, DOM 34