No. 18 'Lopes Win Close Contest Over Fort Lewis

Saturday, November 24

GCU Arena

2:30 PM

Grand Canyon

5-2

Fort Lewis

1-3

Fort Lewis

Grand Canyon

Judy Jones

Photo by: Theon Carrier

11/24/2012 4:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Improve to 10-0 all-time at GCU Thanksgiving Classic

The 18^th-ranked Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated Fort Lewis, 68-62, today at the GCU Arena in their final contest as part of the GCU Thanksgiving Classic. The win improved the Antelopes to 5-2 on the season, as they won their fourth straight contest. The Skyhawks fell to 1-3 on the season.

The win improved GCU’s mark in the Thanksgiving Classic to 10-0 over the last five years.

Click here for postgame reaction from Associate Head Coach Cory Cole.
Click here for postgame reaction from senior Jasmine Cannon.

GCU shot 39.4 percent from the field (28-for-71), while the Skyhawks went 24-for-56 (42.9 percent). The ‘Lopes outdueled Fort Lewis on the boards, 48-30, and had 22 second chance points.

Judy Jones scored a season-high 25 points, the most individually for a GCU player this season, and also grabbed 12 rebounds for her second straight double-double. Maylinn Smith also scored in double-digits for the ‘Lopes with 10.

Both squads posted strong field goal percentages in the first half, as Fort Lewis was 14-for-31 (45.2 percent) and GCU went 16-for-39 (41.0 percent). The ‘Lopes held a significant advantage with 25 rebounds compared to 15 for the Skyhawks and also scored 20 of their 38 points in the paint. Fort Lewis drained six of their 10 attempted three-pointers to keep the game close.

The first half was tightly contested throughout, as the largest lead for the 'Lopes through the first 18 minutes was four points.

The Skyhawks took their first lead of the game with just over six minutes to play in the first half at 26-25. GCU quickly responded by scoring four unanswered points to reclaim a three-point advantage at 29-26 with just under five minutes to play. The ‘Lopes then used a 9-4 run to build their lead to 38-30 before Fort Lewis pulled within two points at 38-36 by virtue of a 6-0 run to close out the half.

Jones was the high-scorer for GCU at the half with 12 points and also led the squad with eight rebounds.

The Skyhawks knotted the score at 40 with 16 minutes to play in the game before GCU used a 12-2 run to take a 52-42 lead with just over 12 minutes on the clock. Fort Lewis cut GCU’s lead in half at 54-49 at the 10:10 mark but GCU held the Skyhawks scoreless for the next three minutes as they built their lead to 11 points at 60-49.

Fort Lewis evened the score at 62 with one minute to play after using a 13-2 run beginning with just under seven minutes on the clock. Smith responded by draining a three-pointer with 44 seconds and a Justine Johnson steal with 30 seconds to play followed by three made free throws from Chigozie Ekweozor and Jones put the game out of reach for the Skyhawks.

GCU will be off until they open Pacific West Conference play on Dec. 3 against Hawai’i Hilo at GCU Arena. Tipoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. Fans can follow the action live by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 68, FLC 62