GCU tops Roadrunners on the road

Thursday, January 28

Bakersfield, Calif.

8 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-11, 3-3WAC

CSU Bakersfield

5-16, 2-4WAC

Grand Canyon

CSU Bakersfield

1/28/2016 10:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

BAKERSFIELD – The Grand Canyon women's basketball team began its Western Athletic Conference roadtrip in California to take on CSU Bakersfield. GCU held the Roadrunners 10 points below their season average and the Lopes got back to their winning ways with the 61-51 victory on the road. The win puts GCU (11-11, 3-3) in a tie for third place in the WAC heading into Saturday's game.

The Lopes were able to distribute the ball all around and the team received scoring contributions from seven different players. It was one of the best offensive performances on the season as they were consistent in scoring throughout the game as the Lopes were able to shoot 45.8 percent for the game. Once again Courtney Hayes filled the stat sheet with her fourth double-double of the season recording 16 points and 10 assists including six steals and six rebounds. Dana Jones joined Hayes as the only other Lope to score double-figures with 13 points.

GCU's defense was on display in Bakersfield forcing 20 turnovers and shot just 36.7 percent for the game. CSU Bakersfield's Batabe Zempare went into the game averaging a league-best 9.2 rebounds a game and GCU did an exceptional job of limiting her opportunities to grab boards as she ended the night with seven rebounds. On GCU's side Jones matches Zempare's performance with seven boards herself.

The Lopes were efficient on offense right out of the gate scoring 19 points in the first quarter and ended the first quarter with a four-point lead. CSU Bakersfield responded by outscoring GCU 14-10 in the second quarter to go into halftime tied at 29. The Lopes came out of halftime on fire outscoring CSUB 17-6 in the third to take an 11-point lead. Grand Canyon went into the fourth quarter with a 46-35 lead and when it mattered most GCU came up clutch at the free-throw line shooting 81.2 percent from the line.

All throughout the game GCU's starting five outplayed the Roadrunners' starting lineup outscoring them 46-35.

With 10 assists on the night, Hayes has now tied the GCU record with the most assists in a single season, recording 152 thus far with eight games left in the season.

GCU will close out its WAC roadtrip on Saturday, Jan. 30, when they travel to Seattle.