Lopes go cold in 4th quarter, fall to UMKC

Sunday, January 24

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-11

UMKC

7-12

UMKC

Grand Canyon

1/24/2016 2:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Hayes shatters previous career high of 16 points with a 23-point effort

By: Samantha Fell

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The GCU women's basketball team lost to the University of Missouri – Kansas City Kangaroos 63-57 on Sunday, Jan. 24 at GCU Arena. The Lopes fall to 10-11 on the season, and 2-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.

"We were in a hurry tonight and made too many poor decisions," head coach Trent May said. "Give credit to UMKC, they defended the perimeter."

GCU jumped out to an early 10-2 lead to begin the game. Courtney Hayes made the basket or assisted for her teams' first ten points. She was the catalyst for the Lopes' offense in the first half, scoring 14 points and adding 4 assists. UMKC rallied back to within 28-23 at halftime.

In the second half, the Kangaroos implemented a full court press and forced GCU into six turnovers in the third quarter. UMKC continued to apply the pressure and took their first lead of the game with six minutes remaining, up 50-48. The visitors extended their lead to 59-52 and Grand Canyon was not able to recover. UMKC knocked down free throws at the end of the game and held on for the victory.

Hayes set a new career high in points after shooting 11-17 from the field and leading all scorers with 23 points. Dana Jones notched her second double-double of the season after grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring 11 points. Jessica Gajewski was the third Lope to reach double figures as she scored 11 points.

The next game for the Lopes will be against the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. in Bakersfield, California. The Roadrunners are currently 5-15 overall and 2-3 in the WAC.