Women's Hoops Falls at Academy of Art

Thursday, February 14

San Francisco, CA

6:30 PM

Grand Canyon

20-5, 12-2PWC

Academy of Art

15-8, 8-5PWC

OT 1

Grand Canyon

Academy of Art University

Cindy Ekweozor

Photo by: Darryl Webb

2/14/2013 8:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Audio interview with Trent May inside

The 13^th-ranked Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team fell to Academy of Art, 63-55, in overtime tonight in San Mateo, Calif. The loss was just the fifth for the Antelopes, as they are now 20-5 overall and 12-2 in Pacific West Conference Play. The Urban Knights improved to 15-8 overall and 8-5 in the conference.

The loss also snapped a nine-game win streak for the ‘Lopes as their last loss came on Jan. 2 at California Baptist.

Click here for postgame audio from head coach Trent May.

GCU posted a 29.7 field goal percentage (19-for-64), their lowest mark of the season. Academy of Art narrowly outrebounded the ‘Lopes, 45-44, and were aided by 31 points off the bench. Additionally, the Urban Knights shot 36.9 percent (24-for-65) from the field.

Chigozie Ekweozor and Maylinn Smith were the high-scorers for GCU with 16 points each, which marked a new season-high for Ekweozor. Judy Jones collected her 16^th double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Jones scored the first six points for the ‘Lopes and GCU used sharp shooting over the first three minutes to build an early 8-3 lead. After the Urban Knights knotted the score at 8, GCU used a 5-0 run to reclaim a five-point lead with just under 14 minutes remaining in the half.

The two teams traded baskets until Academy of Art’s defense held the ‘Lopes scoreless for nearly six minutes as they pulled within one point, 17-16, with 7:15 on the clock. The Urban Knights took a 22-21 lead with three and a half minutes to play, but the ‘Lopes outscored Academy of Art 6-0 for the remainder of the half to carry a 27-22 advantage into the locker room.

GCU shot 41.4 percent (12-for-29) from the field in the first 20 minutes, led by Jones and Ekweozor with eight points apiece. The ‘Lopes held a 21-15 advantage on the boards and scored 10 points off 10 Urban Knights turnovers.

Both teams struggled to get going offensively in the second half, as they combined for just eight points (four points apiece) over the first six minutes. However, Academy of Art then used an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to claim their largest lead of the game thus far, 37-31, as the 9:46 mark.

Smith snapped the scoreless drought for the ‘Lopes by draining two free throws with 9:24 on the clock and GCU used a 9-4 run to reclaim a 42-41 lead with six minutes remaining. The game remained tightly contested as there were two tied scores over the final four minutes. Academy of Art found themselves at the free throw line with 38 seconds to play and drained both to make it 49-47 in their favor.

Deanna Daniels was fouled on an offensive rebound with 14 seconds and promptly made both free throws to tie the game at 49, which it remained for the remainder of regulation.

The Urban Knights scored first in overtime and held GCU to just one point in the first three minutes to build a 56-50 lead with 1:51 remaining. The ‘Lopes pulled within four points on a couple of occasions, but Academy of Art made five of six free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. GCU was 0-for-6 from the field in the overtime period as all six of their points came from the free throw line.

GCU will conclude their Northern California road trip with a game at Dominican (CA) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (Arizona time). Fans can follow the action live by visiting www.gculopes.com.

AAU 63, GCU 55 OT