GCU Collects First WAC Win Over UTPA

Saturday, January 24

GCU Arena

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-10, 1-3

Texas-Pan American

11-9, 4-1

Texas-Pan American

Grand Canyon

Cheyenne Hedrington had a career-best 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in GCU's 69-54 win over UTPA Saturday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

1/24/2015 8:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Lopes Hand Broncs Their First League Loss

Grand Canyon picked up its first Western Athletic Conference win and gave Texas-Pan American its first WAC loss with a 69-54 victory at GCU Arena Saturday.

Sophomore August Touchard had 18 points, one shy of her career high, and had a career-high eight rebounds in the win. Cheyenne Hedrington had a career-best 14 points and added eight boards. Astrea Reed equaled a career-best with 13 points.

The Lopes are 7-10 overall and 1-3 in the WAC. UTPA dropped to 11-9 and 4-1.

Click here to listen to head coach Trent May's postgame interview with Jared Cohen.
Click here to listen to August Touchard's postgame interview with Jared Cohen.

GCU held UTPA to only 27.9 percent shooting (17-of-61) and out-rebounded the Broncs 47-41. Junior guard Courtney Hayes had a game-high nine rebounds and added seven points and four assists. Devyn Edwards and Letty Infante both played their most significant minutes off the bench. Edwards had a career-best six rebounds in 14 minutes. Infante had a career-best three boards in 12.

Touchard, Hedrington and Reed combined for 33 of GCU's 41 second-half points. Touchard and Hedrington had 12 each in the final 20 minutes. After going 1-of-10 from three-point range in the first half, the Lopes were 7-of-13 in the second. Touchard had all three of her treys in the second and Hedrington also had a pair. The Lopes shot 54.2 percent (13-of-24) on all second-half field goals.

Grand Canyon finished the first half on an 11-1 run to take a 28-20 lead. The Lopes defense helped hold the Broncs to only 20.7 percent shooting. UTPA hit only 6-of-29 shots. The Lopes had 30 first-half rebounds.

GCU jumped out and scored the game's first nine points. Touchard hit back-to-back jumpers. Edwards came off the bench to hit a three-pointer and Hedrington had two free throws. UTPA tied the game 13-13 and took its first lead at 14-13. The Broncs led 18-15 at the 6:51 mark before the Lopes took control.

Grand Canyon hits the road for two WAC games next week. The Lopes take on Kansas City Thursday at 6 p.m. (Arizona time) and Chicago State Saturday at 1:05 p.m. Check www.gculopes.com for links to follow live action.

GCU 69, UTPA 54