'Lopes Overcome Second Half Deficit, Defeat North Texas in Overtime

Tuesday, November 26

Denton, TX

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-2

North Texas

4-0

ACU

Grand Canyon

Kaitlyn Petersen scored a career-high 23 points in the win over North Texas

Photo by: Darryl Webb

'Lopes Overcome Second Half Deficit, Defeat North Texas in Overtime

11/26/2013 6:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

GCU is off to best start in program history at 5-0

Moving their record to 5-0, the Grand Canyon University women's basketball has now opened 2013-14 with the best start to a season in program history. The Antelopes overcame a 17-point second half deficit to defeat North Texas, 67-65, in overtime at The Super Pit in Denton, Texas.

The 'Lopes opened the 2006-07 and 2011-12 seasons with 4-0 records.

"That is pretty cool (to be the first to go 5-0)," said head coach Trent May. "There is something extremely special about this group. It's not hard to pinpoint. We knew that we had an unselfish group. It's not about who gets the job done, but rather, it's about that we, collectively, get the job done. It is great to be 5-0, but it's more fun coaching a team who is so coachable, so together, and has an unrelenting work ethic. I'm extremely proud of this team."

"My staff works so hard at preparation and our players work so hard at adjusting and applying that preparation," May added.

The Mean Green are members of Conference USA, and also hosted the weekend tournament over which GCU recently went 2-0.

Kaitlyn Petersen led the offensive efforts for GCU, scoring a career-high 23 points. Judy Jones (20) and Johnna Brown (13) also posted double-digit scoring, while Brown recorded her team-leading fourth double-double of the season with 12 rebounds. Jones also grabbed five steals in the game.

"Kaitlyn has no fear," explained May. "She knows that she is going to make mistakes, but she also knows that she can make up for it. I love that about our point guard - that mistakes aren't magnified and can be made up for in the very next possession."

The 'Lopes carried a three-point lead to open the game at 5-2 before the Mean Green scored 17 of the next 22 points to claim an 18-10 advantage with 12:12 to play in the first half. North Texas, who led by as many as 15 points in the half, took a 38-26 lead into the locker room after sinking 13 of their 25 shot attempts (52.0 percent).

The 'Lopes shot 38.5 percent (10-for-26) from the field in the first 20 minutes, led by Brown and Petersen, who accounted for 19 of GCU's points with 11 and eight, respectively. Jones added six points in the half, while Asha McDonnell pulled down seven rebounds.

GCU outrebounded the Mean Green in the first half, 16-13, but were hampered by 14 turnovers.

Using a 9-2 run to open the second half, the 'Lopes closed the gap to five points (40-35) with just under 16 minutes to play in the game. Jones scored six points during the run.

Overall in the first nine minutes of the second half, GCU outscored North Texas 13-7 as they stayed within six points of tying the game. However, the Mean Green then scored 10 unanswered points over the next three minutes to reclaim a double-digit lead at 55-39 with under eight minutes on the clock and found themselves ahead by a game-high 17 points at the 7:11 mark (57-40).

Continuing the trend of scoring runs, the 'Lopes responded with a 20-4 sequence of their own to make it a four-point game at 61-60 at the 1:06 mark, highlighted by Petersen's back-to-back three-pointers en route to establishing a new career-high with 19 points. She had previously scored 17 points twice this season and once at Cal State Northridge.

Brown evened the score at 61 with a free throw with 12 seconds to play, forcing overtime after the 'Lopes overcame the double-digit deficit in the final seven minutes.

"They did a great job of not panicking," added May. "They didn't play the scoreboard game. We knew we were in a hole, but they made plays that they are capable of making and took it one possession at a time to get back in the game."

Petersen continued collecting points, opening the overtime period with a three-pointer, her sixth of the game, and the most for a GCU player in a game since the 2011-12 season. The Mean Green pulled within one point, 66-65, with 24 seconds, prompting a North Texas timeout.

Petersen made one of two free throws as the 'Lopes cemented the overtime win, their first in extra minutes this season. The 'Lopes outscored North Texas 41-27 over the final 25 minutes.

"I told the team that this (overtime) was our time, and these five minutes belonged to us," May said. "I felt like we didn't seal the deal in regulation, and we needed to prove that the game belonged to us."

For the game, GCU shot 34.9 percent (22-for-63), while North Texas posted a 39.7 field goal percentage (25-for-63). The 'Lopes held the advantage in rebounds, 44-41, including pulling down 28 defensive boards.

The 'Lopes will next be in action when they head east to Estero, Florida for the inaugural Gulf Coast Showcase at the Germain Arena. GCU will join an impressive field that includes: UCLA, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, James Madison, Wright State and Southeastern Louisiana. GCU will open against Mississippi State on Friday at 4 p.m. (Arizona time) and will follow against the winner/loser of the UCLA-Wright State contest. Fans can follow the action by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 67, NT 65 OT