GCU evens conference record with blowout win

Thursday, January 21

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-10

Chicago State

2-17

CSUW

Grand Canyon

1/21/2016 9:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Hayes ties GCU record for assists for second straight game

By: Samantha Fell

Phoenix, Ariz. – Grand Canyon defeated the Chicago State Cougars 74-36 on Thursday, Jan. 21 at GCU Arena. The Lopes improve to 10-10 on the season, and 2-2 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Head Coach Trent May, who just reached 300 career wins last weekend, was pleased with the team's performance.

"It's conference play now, so every game is important; every game matters," May stated. "It was good to play well and do the things we're capable of doing tonight."

Jessica Gajewski was on fire in the first half. The guard knocked down six three-pointers en route to leading all scorers with 20 points at the break. Courtney Hayes contributed to many of Gajewski's points as she dished out nine assists in the first 20 minutes of action. The Lopes led the Cougars 43-17 going into halftime.

In the second half, Hayes continued to fill the stat sheet. She finished the game with her third double-double of the season and was just four points shy of reaching a triple-double. Hayes notched a new career high with 14 assists and led the team with 11 rebounds.

"We came out here and we played competitive right from the get-go," Hayes said. "It's just about getting the hot hand at that point. They make the shots, I just pass it. It's a two-way street."

Cheyenne Hedrington was another Lope player that had a hot hand for the game. She added 20 points and 6 rebounds for the Lopes. Alyx Bloom, starting in her second game, recorded a season-high 14 points and knocked down two three-pointers.

Coach May noted the importance of Hayes' court vision. The guard is now 14 assists away from setting the single-season GCU assist record.

"Courtney does a good job of setting up the team and she finds those creases and gets her teammates open," May said. "The only way she gets those assists is if her teammates score. I'm super proud of her and the way she distributes the ball."

Next up, the Lopes face Missouri-Kansas City at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24. The game will be played at GCU Arena.