Women's Hoops Open Season with Exhibition Win

Saturday, November 2

GCU Arena

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Eastern New Mexico (Exhibition)

Kaitlyn Petersen

Photo by: Darryl Webb

11/2/2013 4:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Defeat Eastern New Mexico at GCU Arena

The Grand Canyon University women's basketball team opened up their 2013-14 season with an exhibition victory over Eastern New Mexico today at GCU Arena. The Antelopes, embarking on their first season as members of the Division I Western Athletic Conference, downed the Zias 65-44 in their lone exhibition contest of the year.

The game was an introduction for five 'Lopes players, highlighted by Kaitlyn Petersen's 17-point performance to lead all scorers. Newcomer Johnna Brown also pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds.

Judy Jones, last season's Pacific West Conference Player of the Year and Preseason All-WAC First Team selection, added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Brown and Deanna Daniels each recorded 10 points in the win.

GCU opened a 5-0 lead in the game's first minute and never looked back as they led by as many 29 points at the 14:17 mark of the second half. The 'Lopes carried a 36-15 advantage into the locker room at the half after shooting an impressive 50.0 percent (15-for-30) from the field while holding Eastern New Mexico to just a 16.1 percent mark (5-for-31).

The 'Lopes opened the second half on a 10-2 run to build their lead to 46-17 and the closest the Zias would come in the game was 19 points, doing so with 33 seconds remaining in the contest with the score at 63-44. Astrea Reed hit a jumper with 10 seconds on the clock and the 'Lopes defense forced a turnover to cement the 21-point win.

GCU held the significant advantage in rebounds, 59-41, including pulling down 40 defensive boards. The 'Lopes forced 15 Eastern New Mexico turnovers and collected four blocks in the game.

The 'Lopes scored 38 points in the paint and 11 second chance points by virtue of their strong rebounding performance.

The 'Lopes will open the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 9 against Western State at 2 p.m. at GCU Arena. Fans unable to attend can visit www.gculopes.com for links to live video and stats.

GCU 65, ENMU 44