GCU Wins Fifth Straight With 54-51 Victory Over Hawai'i

Monday, December 23

GCU Arena

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-2

Hawaii

6-6

Hawai'i

Grand Canyon

Justine Johnson hit a key 3-pointer late and finished with eight points in the Antelopes 54-51 win over Hawai'i.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

GCU Wins Fifth Straight With 54-51 Victory Over Hawai'i

12/23/2013 4:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Grand Canyon won its fifth straight for the second time this season by defeating Hawai'i 54-51 in front of 1,056 at GCU Arena Monday afternoon.

The Antelopes, whose 5-0 start to the season is the best in program's history, improved to 10-2. Though shooting just 33.3 percent from the field and being out-rebounded 50-32, Grand Canyon won the turnover battle, 23-13, and led most of the way in its first-ever meeting with the Rainbow Wahine.

GCU out-scored Hawai'i 20-11 on points off turnovers.

"Refuse to lose," said coach Trent May, echoing the three words he has often used to describe his club's gritty play. "That's what our team knows. We didn't have our 'A' game, but we fought down the stretch and that was the key to the victory."

Johnna Brown gave GCU the lead with a lay-in just four minutes into the game and the Antelopes led until there were only 11 minutes remaining. Hawai'i led 45-42 with 4:29 to go, but GCU scored the next five.

After two Judy Jones' free throws, Justine Johnson hit a go-ahead trey, only the second 3-pointer of the night for the Antelopes. They never lost the lead again. Hawai'i's Destiny King had a chance to tie the game with 1:08 left, but hit just one of two free throws.

Up 51-50, Kaitlyn Petersen and Johnson closed it out at the line.

"I'm proud of how we hung in there in tough situations," said May. "We battled in a lot of adverse situations.

"I'm thankful to coach a team like this that doesn't know the words 'give up'."

Jones led a balanced scoring attack with 12 points. She added 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Brown had 11 points and four steals. Deanna Daniels had eight points, five steals and five rebounds. Petersen finished with five points, seven assists and five boards, while Johnson added eight points.

Off the bench, GCU got key contributions from Asha McDonnell, who had four points and two blocks. August Touchard had four points; including GCU's other 3-pointer.

Added May, "It's a special time of year because of Christmas. Winning or losing doesn't enhance it, but it sure is special for our team and for our university to go in 10-2."

GCU has one more non-conference game before beginning its first season in the Western Athletic Conference. The Antelopes play host to LIU-Brooklyn Saturday at 2 p.m.

GCU 54, UH 51