Gajewski Scores Career High in Win Over Air Force

Saturday, December 5

Colorado Springs, Colo.

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-5

Air Force

0-8

Grand Canyon

Air Force

12/5/2015 11:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

COLORADO SPRINGS – Grand Canyon women's basketball brought its defense in the final game of the Air Force Classic to pick up its third win of the season. The Antelopes took down Air Force 73-39 for their first win on the road this season. Jessica Gajewski scored a career-high 27 points and Zelor Massaquoi led GCU with 10 rebounds.

"Tonight was a good team win," head coach Trent May said. "I like the way we competed for 40 minutes."

Courtney Hayes and Cheyenne Hedrington were named to the Air Force Classic All-Tournament team after Hayes averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 assists, five rebounds and three steals in the tournament. Hedrington continued her hot streak averaging 16 points, 7.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field.

It was the Lopes' best defensive performance of the season, allowing the fewest points to an opponent this season while scoring the most points this season against a Division I opponent. GCU's defense was stifling in the second half, allowing just 10 points in the last 20 minutes.

"We played a complete game on both ends of the floor," May said. "It has been a tough run these last two weeks but I am proud of the fight in our team."

Gajewski started off the game on fire, scoring one-third of GCU's points in the first with 13 points, shooting 71 percent in the first 20 minutes of play including three 3-pointers. GCU was able to dominate the boards, outrebounding Air Force 19-10 in the first half.

GCU went into halftime with a 39-29 lead and after making adjustments during half, the Lopes locked down the Falcons on offense in the second half. AFA was only able to score five points in the third quarter and five in the fourth shooting 7.7 percent in the half. Hayes was tenacious on defense, forcing five steals along with four rebounds and four assists.

Eight of the nine players that saw action on the court for GCU was able to record a bucket as the Lopes scored 17 points in the third and fourth quarter to come away with the victory.

The Lopes will now travel to Fargo, N.D. to face North Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m.