GCU makes it two in-a-row with win over San Diego Christian

Wednesday, December 30

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-7

San Diego Christian

5-6

SDC

Grand Canyon

GCU makes it two in-a-row with win over San Diego Christian

12/30/2015 6:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – In its last game in 2015, the Grand Canyon women's basketball team ended with a bang, making it two wins in-a-row with a 60-40 victory over San Diego Christian. The Antelopes surpass last year's win total during their non-conference schedule with seven wins and are now .500 for the first time since Nov. 16.

"Yes, we got a win and it is better than losing but at the same time we have standards," head coach Trent May said. "We did not meet those standards tonight and we need to play with intensity for the entire 40 minutes of the game."

Jessica Gajewski led GCU with 18 points, including four three-pointers while Courtney Hayes filled up the stat sheet with nine points, five assists, five rebounds and a career-high eight steals. The Hawks went into the game averaging 58.1 points per game led by Berika Egberuare at 9.8 points per game and the Lopes were able to limit the Hawks to 40 points while Egberuare was held to eight points.

The Lopes put on a defensive clinic in the first 20 minutes of play allowing just 10 points in the first half, the least amount of points an opponent has scored in the 1^st half. GCU allowed a season-low five points in the first quarter while the Lopes shot 43.8 percent from the floor. Every starter scored in the first quarter and in the second half GCU's defense amped up not allowing San Diego Christian to score in the first 4:29 minutes of the second quarter. Meanwhile the Lopes went on a 14-0 run, forcing 12 turnovers that led to 16 points.

GCU tied their season-record allowing just 10 points in a half, matching its performance on Dec. 5 against Air Force allowing just 10 points in the second half. Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week, Gajewski, continued her offensive streak scoring 11 points in the first half.

"Our defense in the first half was crucial to our hot start this game," said Hayes. "We played really well defensively in the first half but we let up in the second half. That is what happens when you turn your defense down in the second half but we will get it corrected when the next game comes up."

GCU ended the game outscoring the Hawks 38-20 in the paint, with 12 second chance points and 14 fast break points. In her first career start at GCU, Julieh Clark finished the game with nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.

The Lopes will open up the New Year on Saturday, Jan. 2, against UC Riverside at GCU Arena at 4 p.m. Fans in attendance will receive a free ice cream sundae.