No. 16 'Lopes Clinch Share of PacWest Title, Automatic Berth to NCAA Tourney

Thursday, March 1

GCU Arena

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

22-3, 14-3

Cal Baptist

20-5, 13-4

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Jallisa Butler scored 11 points in GCU's 54-53 win over Cal Baptist on March 1.

No. 16 'Lopes Clinch Share of PacWest Title, Automatic Berth to NCAA Tourney

3/1/2012 6:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The No. 16 Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated Cal Baptist, 54-53, tonight at GCU Arena in what was their fourth straight victory. The Antelopes are now 22-3 overall and 14-3 in the Pacific West Conference, while the Lancers are now 20-5 overall and 13-4 in conference play.

With the win, the ‘Lopes clinched at least a share of the PacWest Conference title and secured the conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA Division II tournament. GCU has won at least a share of the conference title in five of the last six years (also in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011). A win over Dixie State (13-4) on Saturday would clinch the outright crown for the ‘Lopes.

“This is a credit to our girls and my assistant coaches, they really wanted this” said head coach Trent May. “We lost a lot last year in players like Samantha Murphy and Rosalyn Nelson, but we also have girls who experienced the post season last season who were hungry for it and worked hard all year. This was a tough season in a lot of respects, but not because of the girls. They are the reason we have won the title in five of the last six years.”

The ‘Lopes shot 35.5 percent from the field (22-for-62) and were able to force 21 turnovers and nab 10 steals in the win. They held the Lancers to a 30.0 field goal percentage (18-for-60) as entering tonight, GCU ranked fourth in the nation with a 32.4 defensive field goal percentage.

Maylinn Smith and Jallisa Butler led the offensive charge with 11 points apiece. Jenna Pearson added nine points, while Joslynn Frazier had eight points and Chigozie Ekweozor had seven points.

GCU shot 34.4 percent (11-for-32) in the first half, while Cal Baptist posted a 30.0 percent mark (9-for-30) as the two teams traded baskets to open the half. GCU built their largest lead of the game at 10 points with 5:31 to play on the heels of an 8-0 run spanning nearly four minutes. The Lancers hung around over the final five minutes of the period after outscoring the ‘Lopes 12-7 over that stretch to head into the locker room trailing GCU 31-26.

Smith led all scorers into the locker room with nine points, while Butler and Angelina Dennison each added six points.

Cal Baptist opened the second half on an 8-3 run to tie the game at 34 with just over 15 minutes to play. GCU then used an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 42-34 with 11:12 remaining. Cal Baptist would then pull within one point as they outscored the ‘Lopes 17-10 over the next 10 minutes to trail 52-51 with one minute to play.

A Joslynn Frazier put-back helped GCU to go ahead 54-51 with 30 seconds remaining. Cal Baptist came down the floor, but missed their shot as Butler was fouled with 17 seconds. The Lancers pulled down the rebound and scored a layup with no time remaining on the clock to notch the final score at 54-53.

“I just tried to stay calm yesterday and today,” added May. “It was an emotional game tonight. I have always told my girls that if they want to coach, they should hire assistants that are smarter than you are. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and coaches and how they handled themselves.”

The ‘Lopes will next be in action when they play their regular season finale against Dixie State on March 3 at GCU Arena. The game, which will feature Homecoming and Senior Day festivities, is set to tipoff at 4:30 p.m.

GCU 54, CBU 53