GCU Drops Heartbreaker to South Alabama

Saturday, December 19

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-7

South Alabama

3-5

USA

Grand Canyon

12/19/2015 8:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – It had been a month since the Grand Canyon women's basketball team had played a home game and on Saturday night, the Antelopes hosted South Alabama for Star Wars Night. The Lopes' three-game winning streak was snapped at GCU Arena as the Lopes fell to South Alabama 59-56. GCU is now 5-7 this season.

"Give credit to South Alabama because they hit timely shots," head coach Trent May said. "We have done a good jo of taking care of the little things on the road but we did not do that at home tonight."

The Lopes looked for a balance attack on offense in the first quarter, receiving scoring contributions from seven different players. The Lopes scored 15 points in each quarter, shooting 45.2 percent in the first half. GCU was able to limit South Alabama to 37.9 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes to take a 30-26 lead going into halftime.

Courtney Hayes filled up the stat sheet in the first half with two points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. Cheyenne Hedrington led GCU in scoring in the first half with six rebounds along with four points.

The Lopes struggled offensively in the second half shooting 32.4 percent in the second half. South Alabama would outscore GCU in the second half by seven points to pull out a late comeback victory, 59-56. The game went back-and-forth in the final 1:30. With 12 seconds left, South Alabama took the lead off Chyna Ellis' two free-throws and GCU was unable to convert on offense.

Hedrington led GCU with 12 points and Hayes recorded a season-high seven rebounds along with 10 points, five assists and a steal. For the first time in five games, GCU was outrebounded by its opponent (36-34) but the Lopes were able to capitalize on the boards offensively with 15 rebounds and GCU did a better job of distributing the ball dishing out 15 assists compared to USA's eight assists.

"We have to play better and execute in crucial times." May said. "The right team won tonight but we need to do more in order to secure a win."

Grand Canyon will have a quick turnaround as they face Northern Colorado at home. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at GCU Arena.