Antelopes Drop Opener to UC Irvine

Sunday, November 16

GCU Arena

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

0-1

UC Irvine

1-1

UC-Irvine

Grand Canyon

Cheyenne Hedrington drew six charging fouls and had nine rebounds and four points in Sunday's game with UC Irvine.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

11/16/2014 5:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Touchard Scores Career-High 19

Grand Canyon battle back from a first-half deficit to take the lead, but the young Lopes couldn't hold on in a 54-53 loss to UC Irvine (1-1) at GCU Arena Sunday.

Down by eight in the first half, GCU tied the score by halftime, 26-26, and led 32-26 in the second half. Tied 37-37, the Anteaters went on an 8-2 run and led the rest of the way.

Junior Madison Craig hit a 3-pointer with :34 left to cut it to 52-50 and sophomore August Touchard, who led GCU with a career-high 19, hit a 3-pointer with :01 to go for the final margin.

"I like how we kept ourselves in it with a chance to win," said GCU coach Trent May.

Scrappy point guard Courtney Hayes, a junior in her first season at GCU after transferring from Louisiana Tech, had eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocked shots before fouling out. Junior college transfer Cheyenne Hedrington drew six charging fouls and had nine rebounds.

"I'm big on toughness," said May. "Taking charges is good evidence of toughness. I don't know if you'll find any other player, male or female, during this opening weekend that took six legitimate charging fouls."

Redshirt-freshman Jessica Gajewski had 11 points. Freshman Mikaehla Connor led all rebounders with 12. Craig was 3-for-6 from downtown and had nine points. Touchard also had three treys.

Touchard's 19 were seven more than she had in any game during her freshman season. She had 12 in a Feb. 8 contest at Bakersfield last season.

"This is a young team and we need game reps. Every one we get will be valuable," said May. "I'm not happy with the outcome and we know we need time to develop and get better. The entire game was a lesson. We look forward to getting a look at film and getting back on the floor to get ready for Wednesday."

The Antelopes welcome Western State for a rare morning contest Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 a.m. at GCU Arena. Fans unable to come out to the game can follow with live links available at www.gculopes.com.

UCI 54, GCU 53