No. 15 Women's Basketball Defeats Northern New Mexico

Sunday, December 30

GCU Arena

2:00 PM

Grand Canyon

11-3

Northern New Mexico

5-11

Northern New Mexico

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Darryl Webb

12/30/2012 4:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Win for 10th time in last 11 games

The 15^th-ranked Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated visiting Northern New Mexico, 86-38, today at GCU Arena. The win was the 10^th in the last 11 games for the Antelopes as they improved their overall record to 11-3. The Eagles are now 5-11 on the season.

The 48-point victory margin marked GCU’s largest of the season, surpassing their previous high of 42 points in a 90-48 win over Chaminade on Dec. 5.

“We were sharp considering that we had a week off,” said head coach Trent may. “Our energy was really good. I though we shared the ball well and played great team basketball, which was very similar to how we left before the break. Now we need to start revving up the engine again and get going and today was a good game to do that.”

GCU shot 50.0 percent from the field (33-for-66), the fourth time this season the ‘Lopes have posted a mark that high. The ‘Lopes scored 46 points in the paint and were able to collect 25 points off 33 turnovers, matching the most for turnovers forced by GCU this season.

Judy Jones recorded her ninth straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, which also marked her 10^th consecutive game with double-digit scoring. Maylinn Smith added 13 points, while Justine Johnson scored a season-high 11 points. Deanna Daniels also added 11 points for GCU.

GCU scored a season-high 50 points in the first half, surpassing their previous high total of 47 for the first 20 minutes, which they did on Dec. 14 against Fresno Pacific. GCU’s defense also allowed a season-low 11 points to Northern New Mexico in the first half.

GCU shot 48.7 percent (19-for-39) in the first half, led by Jones with nine points. Of the 12 players that played for the ‘Lopes in the first 20 minutes, 11 got on the board as GCU was aided by 18 points off the bench.

The ‘Lopes opened the game on a 17-0 run over the first seven minutes and did not allow an Eagles basket until they drained two free throws with 12:56 on the clock. GCU’s defense did not allow Northern New Mexico to score their first field goal of the contest with just under 12 minutes remaining in the half. GCU then used a 15-2 run over the next seven minutes to extend their lead to 37-6 with five minutes to play in the first.

Over the final five minutes of the first half, GCU outscored the Eagles 13-5 as they took a 50-11 advantage into the locker room.

The ‘Lopes opened the second half by draining two three-pointers and went on to use a 17-0 run to extend their lead to 67-11 with just under 15 minutes to play in the game. The Eagles scored their first basket of the second with 12 and a half minutes remaining and drained their first three-pointer of the contest with 9:36 on the clock, which jumpstarted a 7-1 run for the Eagles.

The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, as Northern New Mexico narrowly outscored the ‘Lopes 20-17 in that time.

GCU will resume Pacific West Conference play when they travel to Riverside, Calif., to take on California Baptist on Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. (Arizona time). Fans can follow the action live by visiting www.gculopes.com.

“We have to stay mentally sharp because we have the physical tools, but we need to put both of those together,” added May. “And if we do that, we can be a really tough team. We were able to stay sharp today and refocus for game-play. It is good to have reference points before and after the break as we prepare to continue conference play.”

GCU 86, NNMC 38