No. 15 'Lopes Continue to Roll on the Road, Defeat Hawai'i Pacific

Wednesday, February 1

Kaneohoe, HI

8 p.m.

Grand Canyon

16-2, 8-2

Hawai'i Pacific

11-9, 5-5

GCU-WBB

Hawaii Pacific

Maylinn Smith had her first double-double of the season with a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds.

No. 15 'Lopes Continue to Roll on the Road, Defeat Hawai'i Pacific

2/1/2012 9:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 15 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated Hawai’i Pacific, 59-56, tonight in Honolulu, Hawai’i. The three-point victory was the third straight win for GCU. With the win, the Antelopes improved to 16-2 overall and 8-2 in the Pacific West Conference. Hawai’i Pacific fell to 11-9 overall, 5-5 in conference play.

“We really showed guts tonight,” said head coach Trent May. “The one thing that I complimented Hawai’i Pacific for at the half is that they will not quit. They are a very well coached and disciplined team with a lot of competitors. They battled all 40 minutes. So I’m pleased with our girls and the composure they showed tonight.”

The win was GCU’s 19^th consecutive victory in Hawai’i, dating back to the 2007-08 season. It was also the 13^th consecutive regular season PacWest road win and 15^th straight regular season road victory for the ‘Lopes.

GCU shot 39.2 percent from the field (20-for-51), including an 84.2 mark from the free throw line (16-for-19). Six of those made free throws came with less than three minutes remaining in the game. The ‘Lopes outrebounded Hawai’i Pacific, 42-24, the 16^th time this season they have done so as GCU is 14-2 in those contests.

Maylinn Smith led the offensive charge with 27 points, surpassing her previous career-high of 22 points set on Dec. 19, 2010 against Simon Fraser. She also grabbed 11 rebounds in the game for her first double-double of the season. Her rebound total was one shy of her career-high which she set on No. 14, 2010 vs. UC San Diego. Joslynn Frazier added nine points and Jallisa Butler had seven points.

“Maylinn does a tremendous job,” said May. “With the ball in her hands, I can calmly tell my team that she is going to free throw line when we are up by one point and how to prepare for the scenario when we are ahead by three.”

GCU opened the first half on an 8-2 run before the Sea Warriors responded with an 11-4 stretch to take a 13-12 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining. The ‘Lopes then used a 14-2 run to take a 26-15 advantage at the 7:03 mark. GCU led by as many as 12 points in the first half and took a 35-24 lead into the locker room after shooting 46.2 percent from the field (12-for-26) and grabbing 20 rebounds, 16 of which were defensive.

Hawai’i Pacific opened the second half by outscoring the ‘Lopes 14-7 over the first seven minutes of the second half to pull within four points at 42-38 with just under 13 minutes to play. The teams then traded baskets until the Sea Warriors scored eight unanswered points beginning at the 5:21 mark to tie the game at 53 with less than four minutes remaining. Angelina Dennison hit two free throws to give the ‘Lopes a 55-53 advantage with 2:31 to go before Hawai’i Pacific made one of two free throws at the 43-second mark to pull back within one point.

“Angelina’s two free throws were huge,” May said. “Every point was crucial tonight. I know it sounds cliché, but free throws do win games.”

Smith was fouled with 22.7 seconds on the clock and made both free throws to extend the lead to three points, 57-54. The Sea Warriors scored a layup with under 10 seconds left to pull within 57-56 but committed a quick foul on Smith, who made both free throws to secure the win for the ‘Lopes. Smith finished 10-for-10 at the charity stripe for the night.

“Maylinn answers the call,” added May. “She was really solid at the free throw line at the end of the game.”

The ‘Lopes will conclude their Hawaiian road trip when they travel to take on Hawai’i Hilo on Feb. 4 with tipoff slated for 8 p.m. Arizona time.

“Thankfully we have the next two days off before a huge game at Hilo,” said May. “The great thing about Grand Canyon University women’s basketball is that we have done a great job here in Hawai’i.”

GCU 59, HPU 56