No. 17 'Lopes Finish a Perfect 11-0 on Road

Saturday, February 25

San Francisco, CA

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

21-3, 13-3PWC

Academy of Art

15-10, 11-6PWC

Grand Canyon

Academy of Art University

Maylinn Smith scored a career-high 34 points and drained a school-record eight three-pointers on Feb. 25 at Academy of Art.

2/25/2012 2:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 17 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated Academy of Art today, 67-49, at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco, Calif. With the win, the Antelopes improved to 21-3 overall and 13-3 in the
Pacific West Conference. Academy of Art is now 15-10 overall, 11-6 in conference play.

The win also improved GCU’s road record to 11-0 this season, the first time in women’s school history that the ‘Lopes have won each of their regular season games away from home.

“I credit our success on the road to the maturity from the players because they do a good job of understanding the expectations," said head coach Trent May. "Sometimes when you are home, you can’t prepare for everything and there are a lot more distractions. The players carry their responsibilities very well. They have done a great job believing in the expectations that we as coaches place on them.”

GCU shot 40.0 percent (24-for-60) for the game, including an 8-for-16 mark from the three-point line and made 11 of their 14 free throws. For the 21^st time, the ‘Lopes outrebounded their opponent, 50-28. The 'Lopes also held the Knights to a 28.3 shooting percentage (15-for-53) in the contest.

Maylinn Smith established a new-career high with 34 points while also draining a new school record eight three-pointers. Stacy Haddow had previously made seven three-pointers on Feb. 5, 2009 at BYU-Hawai’i, the third time that feat had been accomplished prior to today. Smith also tied the PacWest record for three-pointers made in a game that was set by Richelle Rieben (BYU-Hawai'i) vs. Chaminade on Feb. 11, 2011.

“Maylinn made the plays that we needed today," May said. "It was unbelievable for her to come out and have a game like this. She deserves all that she has done because she works really hard. She has a 'whatever it takes' spirit and we appreciate that. This is a performance that I won’t forget.”

Jallisa Butler recorded her seventh double-double of the season as she finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds.

The ‘Lopes shot 44.1 percent from the field (15-for-34) in the first half, including a 4-for-8 mark from behind the arc, as they scored at least 35 points for the 12^th time this season. GCU scored the final four points of the first period to take a 35-21 advantage into halftime.

GCU also held the Urban Knights to a 23.8 percentage (5-for-21) from the field in the first half. Academy of Art made 11-of-14 free throws in the period, while the ‘Lopes had just one opportunity at the charity stripe.

Smith led all scorers in the locker room with 14 points, while Butler added 12 points.

GCU hit their first 20-point lead of the game at the 13:54 mark in the second half after Chigozie Ekweozor drained two free-throws to give the ‘Lopes a 50-30 advantage. The Knights pulled within 15 on several occasions, but GCU kept them at bay as they used an 11-6 run to close out the game.

The two teams posted similar shooting percentages in the second period as the ‘Lopes shot 34.6 percent (9-for-26) and the Knights shot 31.3 percent (10-for-32).

"We are going to enjoy today’s win and then head home to prepare for these two games," May added. "We will get back to how we have been preparing all season. We have had a tremendous run and own a record to be proud of. We are in the hunt for a conference championship again and that speaks volumes about our program. It is about staying on top and that is harder to do than anything else. We are not an easy win and we are not going to go down without a fight. I’m proud of the girls and our coaches. We will go back to work on Monday.”

The ‘Lopes will next be in action when they return home for contests against Cal Baptist and Dixie State. GCU will first face the Lancers on March 1 with tipoff slated for 4:30 p.m.

GCU 67, AAU 49