Antelopes Finish Non-Conference Portion 11-2

Saturday, December 28

GCU Arena

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-2

LIU Brooklyn

1-9

LIU-Brooklyn

Grand Canyon

Jenna Pearson had nine points, on 4-for-5 shooting, in her return to the GCU lineup Saturday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

12/28/2013 5:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Open WAC Play Jan. 2 at UTPA

With a 72-63 victory over LIU Brooklyn at GCU Arena Saturday, Grand Canyon won its sixth straight and finished the non-conference portion of its schedule with an 11-2 record

The Antelopes got a pair of double-doubles from Deanna Daniels and Kaitlyn Petersen, the first for both this season. Daniels had a team-best 20 points and game-high 10 rebounds. Petersen had 16 points and a career-best 10 assists.

The Antelopes needed the extra effort as it played most of the day without starters Johnna Brown and Judy Jones. Brown missed the game due to an injury. Jones left the game with an injury after playing only seven minutes.

"All year we've been seeing players step up and it's not always the same player," said coach Trent May. "We got crucial play from Deanna Daniels, Kaitlyn Petersen, Justine Johnson and our 'newcomer' Jenna Pearson."

For Pearson, a senior guard, it was her first game of the season. Back from shoulder surgery, Pearson, the team's lone four-year Antelope, had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including 1-for-2 from 3-point range.

Johnson had 12 points to go with six assists. Daniels also had a game-high four steals, while point guard Petersen added six rebounds.

"It's one of those things," added May on playing without Brown – expected to be back for the Western Athletic Conference opener Jan. 2 at Texas Pan-American – and Jones. "It's part of the game and we don't expect sympathy. Those things happen and our team showed its resilient fight again."

GCU tied a season-high with seven 3-pointers. Johnson had three, Petersen had two and Pearson and frosh August Touchard each had one. The .389 percentage from beyond the arc was the second best of the season. The Antelopes were 9-for-9 at the free-throw line. Daniels was 6-for-6.

Off the bench, frosh Astrea Reed had a season-best four points to go with two rebounds and one steal in a season-high 19 minutes. Asha McDonnell had three blocked shots, tying a season-high, and five rebounds.

"We knew we had the capabilities to compete," said May of his club's 11-2 record in its first season at the Division I level. "I think when you look at our schedule; a lot of people wouldn't have believed it. We've competed well, but they always say it's not how you start it's how you finish."

GCU 72, LIUB 63