Women’s Basketball Cruises to Victory Over Western State

Thursday, November 19

Phoenix, Ariz.

10 a.m.

Grand Canyon

2-1

Western State

0-0

Western State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Darryl Webb

Women’s Basketball Cruises to Victory Over Western State

11/19/2015 12:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – An early 10 a.m. game awaited the Grand Canyon women's basketball team against Western State Colorado as the Antelopes hosted Field Trip Day welcoming 1,166 kids from various schools to GCU Arena. GCU topped the visiting Mountaineers by a final count of 77-40. It was the Lopes biggest margin of victory since defeating San Diego Christian 87-44 on Jan. 3, 2015.

"We just had a little bounce in our step today so they were excited to play," head coach Trent May said. "Amazing crowd. That always helps the energy on days like today. It was such a fun atmosphere."

The Lopes had four players in double figures led by Devyn Edwards recording a career-high 16 points, surpassing her previous record of eight points, exactly one year ago against Western State. Of the 10 players that saw playing time on the court for GCU, nine Lopes were able to score as they recorded a season-high in points.

"It's just being focused," Edwards said. "That's what coach said in the locker room. Just bring it."

Grand Canyon started the game applying tenacious defense as they did not allow Western State Colorado to score a bucket from the 7:19 mark until 3:31 left in the first quarter. Dana Jones got off to a hot start shooting 57 percent from the floor in the first quarter, scoring nine points as GCU held the 18-13 lead after 10 minutes.

Jones reached double-digits in scoring in the first half off 5-for-9 shooting from the field, scoring 11 points. Jessica Gajewski started to get hot from the three-point line nailing a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter as she help extend GCU's lead to 29-17 with four minutes left in the first half.

The defense picked up yet again in the second quarter as the Lopes did not allow Western State to score in the final 4:52, allowing just four total points in the period. GCU was able to force 15 turnovers in the first while limiting its turnovers themselves with just five in the first half. Edwards put the exclamation point on the first half with a three-pointer at the buzzer to go into halftime with the 41-18 lead.

The Lopes continued pressing on the defensive end and outscored the Mountaineers 19-8 in the third quarter. Once again, to end the quarter, Edwards would hit another buzzer-beater from the three-point arc to give GCU the 60-26 lead headed into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter Alyx Bloom was able to reach double-digits in scoring adding 10 points along with two rebounds and three assists.

"One of the things we challenged them with yesterday is this good be a trap game," May said. "Emotional game the other night, early start today, not a normal tip-off. The routine changes. We have a big trip coming up tomorrow. There was a lot of reasons not to be ready for today but I'm really proud of them. Their energy level and playing well together."

Next up for the Lopes is a trip to Spokane, Wash. to participate in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge. Grand Canyon matches up with USC on Nov. 22, Gonzaga on Nov. 23 and West Virginia on Nov. 24. Tipoff for GCU's game vs. USC on Sunday is set for 5:00 p.m.