GCU Drops Season Opener to Hawai'i

Friday, November 13

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

0-1

Hawaii

1-0

Hawai'i

Grand Canyon

11/13/2015 4:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – The 2015-16 season finally arrived for the Grand Canyon women's basketball team as they opened the season at GCU Arena against Hawai'i. Nine different players scored for the Antelopes but the Rainbow Wahine got hot from the 3-point arch as the Lopes fell to Hawai'i 74-41.

"Give credit to Hawai'i because they played very well tonight," head coach Trent May said. "Despite the score, there were bright spots and our team will persevere through adversity which we faced tonight. We faced a whirlwind of emotions tonight and I am pleased with how our team handled the pressure."

Four Antelopes made their debuts in Thursday's game against the Rainbow Wahine in Alyx Bloom, Julieh Clark, Tanesha Daniels and Dana Jones and the newcomers combined for 18 points. As a team, Grand Canyon was able to convert 13-17 free throws, shooting 76.5 percent for the game. Courtney Hayes and Jones led GCU with seven points each.

After going back-and-forth in the first five minutes of the 1^st quarter, Hawai'i went on a 10-0 run in the ladder part of the first quarter to take a 22-8 lead. This was the first chance the women were able to play in a game switching from two 20-minute halves to four 10-minute quarters and a 30-second shot clock. It was a tighter first half as a combined 25 points were scored. The Lopes were able to tighten up on defense, allowing just 15 points in the second quarter. GCU was able to make the most of its opportunities in the first half at the free throw line, shooting 9-10. GCU went into halftime trailing Hawai'i 39-21.

"We need to play better and I promise you that we will learn from our mistakes tonight," Hayes said.

In the 3^rd quarter, GCU was able to limit the Rainbow Wahine to just 10 points and no 3-pointers but the Lopes struggled offensively as the 3^rd quarter ended with Hawai'i up 59-28. The Lopes were able to compete with Hawai'i in the 4^th quarter, scoring 13 points led by Zelor Massaquoi with six points. GCU will now take the rest of the weekend off from play before being back in action at home on Monday, Nov. 16, against Oral Roberts.