GCU Completes Hawaiian Sweep With Win Over Hilo

Saturday, February 4

Hilo, HI

8 p.m.

Grand Canyon

17-2, 9-2

Hawai'i Hilo

8-11, 5-6

OT 1

Grand Canyon

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Butler had 14 points and 18 rebounds tonight.

2/4/2012 9:54:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 15 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team held off a pesky UH-Hilo squad tonight, 65-59 in overtime, at the UH-Hilo Gym in Hilo, Hawai’i.

The win improved the Antelopes’ overall record to 17-2, 9-2 in the Pacific West Conference. The Vulcans fell to 5-6, 8-11 in league play.

The win was also career-win number 100 at GCU for head coach Trent May. It was also his 227^th of his career, overall.

The win was Grand Canyon’s 20th consecutive victory in Hawai’i, dating back to the 2007-08 season. It was also the 14th consecutive regular season PacWest road win and 16th straight regular season road victory for the ‘Lopes.

“This year the trip seemed longer,” said head coach Trent May. “What we have done here at Grand Canyon is to establish a trend where we have won four games out here on the islands. That comes from our players really understanding our goals each year and sustaining momentum on a long trip like this.”

After battling to a 53-53 tie to send the game into overtime, GCU found themselves trailing 57-54 a minute into the extra session and without fouled-out star Maylinn Smith.

Angelina Dennison, who scored four of her six points in the overtime, scored on a driving layup to cut the lead to one. Jenna Pearson then put the ‘Lopes up 59-57 after draining a deep three from the top of the arc.

The Vulcans Kirsty May would hit two free throws to bring the game to a 59-all tie. Jallisa Butler answered with a layup on a Dennison assist to give GCU a lead they would not relinquish.

Butler once again dominated on the glass, pulling down 18 rebounds that led the ‘Lopes to a 45-26 edge in the game. She finished with 14 points.

The teams traded leads throughout the game with GCU holding a slight 29-28 edge going into the intermission. After falling behind 39-36, the Antelopes put together an impressive 13-5 run that gave them a 49-44 lead with just under five minutes left in regulation. Smith scored eight of her 14 points in the eight minute stretch.

Hilo once again answered. A 6-0 run gave the Vulcans a 50-49 lead with 2:02 remaining. Smith would put GCU back up by two, knocking down a jumper 11 seconds later. Two Hilo free throws gave them a short lived 52-51 lead, as Dennison drove to the basket and fed a wide open Butler to put Canyon back in front. The Vulcans would later hit one-of-two free throws, sending the game to overtime.

The Antelopes shot 46 percent for the game, including 3-of-4 in the overtime. They struggled from the free throw, making only 12-of-14 shots.

The Canyon win created a four-way tie atop the PacWest standings, with Academy of Art, Cal Baptist, Dixie State and GCU all sitting at 9-2.

“There is nothing easy in this league this year,” added May. “We are excited about where we are right now, but we know the grueling task we have ahead of us. It’s a tribute to the coaches in this league that we have four teams sitting at 9-2. By no means are we sitting pretty or feeling good about ourselves. We are looking forward to getting home and getting some rest and tackling each game as they come.”

The women return home tomorrow but will not be there long, as they travel to Riverside, Calif. to take on California Baptist on Feb. 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (Arizona time). Following the game with the Lancers, GCU will finish the season with five of their last six games coming at Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix.

GCU 65 Hilo 59 (OT)