No. 17 'Lopes Avenge Lone Conference Loss with Win over California Baptist

Saturday, January 26

GCU Arena

4:30 PM

Grand Canyon

17-4, 9-1

California Baptist

10-5, 4-3

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Jenna Pearson

Photo by: Darryl Webb

No. 17 'Lopes Avenge Lone Conference Loss with Win over California Baptist

1/26/2013 6:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Sixth straight win also improves GCU to 11-0 at home

The 17^th-ranked Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team defeated visiting California Baptist today, 65-52, at GCU Arena. The win was the sixth straight for the Antelopes, who improved to 17-4 overall and 9-1 in Pacific West Conference play. GCU also avenged their lone conference loss today, as the Lancers fell to 10-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference as they were held to a season-low in points.

The win also kept the 'Lopes perfect on their home court as they improved to 11-0.

"Our girls did a great job of buying into the game plan and executing it tonight," said head coach Trent May. "We are maturing as a team, and this is a great time of the year to be doing that. Between what the girls are bringing to the table and what the coaches are giving them, there is a good balance right now. The team is believing in each other and in themselves, and that is a great recipe for success."

For the contest, the ‘Lopes shot 45.5 percent from the field (25-for-55) while the Lancers posted a 35.3 field goal percentage (18-for-51). GCU held a significant advantage in rebounds, 46-25, while resulted in 32 points in the paint and 15 second chance points. The ‘Lopes were also aided by 21 points off the bench.

Jenna Pearson and Chigozie Ekweozor led the way offensively for GCU with 12 points apiece, which marked a new season-high for Pearson. Maylinn Smith and Deanna Daniels added 11 points each. Judy Jones recorded her 13th double-double with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

"We need someone to come off the bench and play the way Jenna has the past two games," said May. "We know she has been capable her whole career. The hard work is paying off and it is great to see her contributing. When we played at California Baptist, our bench didn’t do hardly anything and their bench did, so it was great to see that firepower today off the bench."

As was expected, the game was tightly contested at the start with neither team leading by more than four points, including three tied scores, in the first five minutes. The Lancers were able to hold GCU scoreless for nearly three minutes in that stretch, but the ‘Lopes were just as strong on the other end of the court to keep the contest tight.

CBU opened their largest lead of the first half at six points when they claimed a 14-8 advantage with 13 minutes remaining. GCU responded by scoring seven unanswered points to reclaim the lead, 15-14, just two minutes later. The game went back and forth over the next three minutes until the ‘Lopes used a 12-0 run to build a 27-17 lead at the 6:11 mark in the first.

The Lancers were held scoreless for nearly six minutes until they drained a three-pointer with just over four minutes to play. GCU allowed only two more points to CBU for the remainder of the half as they built their advantage to 15 points, 37-22, heading into the locker room.

The ‘Lopes shot an impressive 54.8 percent (17-for-31) in the first 20 minutes, while holding the Lancers to a 32.1 mark (9-for-28). GCU scored 26 of their points in the paint and were able to score nine second half points by virtue of outrebounding CBU 25-11. GCU was led by Ekweozor at the half with eight points, followed by Daniels and Pearson with seven apiece.

GCU opened the second half on an 8-2 run over the first three minutes and allowed just five points overall to the Lancers in the first six minutes as they extended their lead to 49-27. The ‘Lopes never looked back and remained in control of the contest, as the closest CBU would come was 13 points. The Lancers didn’t make it easy for GCU as the clock was winding down, but the ‘Lopes used impressive poise from the free throw percentage and on the offensive end to secure the win.

"I like the fact that in seven years in the PacWest, we have never been swept by a team," added May.

GCU will next be in action when they wrap up this homestand with a contest against Dixie State on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m. in GCU Arena. Fans can follow the action via live video by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 65, CBU 52