Lopes fall to Hawai'i in late-game decision

Thursday, December 29

Manoa, HI

8:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-5

Hawaii

4-8

Grand Canyon

Hawaii

12/29/2016 9:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

HONOLULU - The Grand Canyon women's basketball program suffered just its second loss in the month of December as they fell to Hawai'i in a 51-47 finish Thursday night. Despite a strong defensive performance and outscoring the 'Bows on the glass. The Lopes struggled to pull down rebounds down the stretch and weren't able to convert a late game turnover to force overtime.

Jessica Gajewski led the squad with 19 points, while Brie Mobley posted a season-high 13 points and added seven boards on the night. Aniya Baker picked up a trio of team-leading steals.

How it Happened
In a slow opening frame, primarily dominated by stout defense, both teams struggled to score as the first point didn't come until the 6:55 minute mark when the Rainbow Wahine scored a free throw. Mobley followed, scoring GCU's first points off a jumper getting the Lopes on the board. The Lopes went on to put together a 5-2 run spearheaded by a Gajewski 10-point performance in the first to finish the quarter with a 14-10 lead.

To start the second, the 'Bows got in a rhythm on offense putting together scores on three-straight possessions to take the lead at 18-16. GCU responded applying its defense and mounting a 15-7 run followed by a Casey Rarrick layup at the buzzer to finish the half with a 31-25 lead.

To open the second half, Hawai'i came out the gates with a jumper cutting GCU's lead to four at 31-27. But the Lopes quickly applied the press, allowing Mobley to answer with a jumper as she entered double-figures in the process. Hawai'i came roaring back midway through the third engineering a 13-0 run to take back the lead at 40-33. While the 'Bows turned their defensive play up, the Lopes remained steadfast not letting the game get away from them as Gajewski banked a triple at the buzzer to bring GCU back within five at 43-38.

The Lopes played with urgency to start the fourth, quickly knocking down a pair of buckets to cut the Bows lead to three. Marcos-Canedo then got a free throw opportunity to tie the game up at 43-43 with 5:30 left on the clock. While the Bows nailed a three to take back the lead, Baker hit a crucial jumper to tie the game back up at 45-45. At the 1:52 minute mark, Hawai'i converted a layup to take the slight edge at 47-45. While GCU forced a turnover in the remaining seconds, the Lopes weren't able to convert and failed to force an overtime scenario. While GCU received possession with seconds left, the 'Bows lead was too much to overcome.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Trent May
"Hawai'i has played well at home this year. Their record isn't really telling of how tough they are. They've played some tough opponents. But, I'm proud of our girls tonight. They hung in there. We did not shoot the ball particularly well. It's tough when you give up 51 points and you do your job defensively and yet you can't put enough points on the board offensively to win the game. We're disappointed in that. But, we had some good looks that we wish we would have capitalized on in key moments and rebounds down the stretch. We did a good job on the boards tonight except for just the key ones, which you've got to have at the end of the game. So that's tough to deal with and we thought we could have gotten away with a good win tonight. But, there were key moments like shots that didn't fall for us when we had good looks."

Lopes Notes

GCU falls to 7-5 on the season.
Gajewski scored in double figures in a quarter for the second time this season when she notched 10 in the first.
She also led the team with 19 points for the second time this season going 6-of-13 and 3-of-8 from long range.
Brie Mobley garnered a season-high 13 points and lead GCU in rebounds for the second this season. Mobley also recorded a season-high in minutes played. She went 4-for-7 from the charity stripe.
GCU had four players record five or more boards on the night as Laura Marcos-Canedo, Aniya Baker and Zelor Massaquoi all shared six and Mobley picked up seven.
Aniya Baker led the Lopes with three steals. Marks the sixth time this year.
The Lopes suffered only its second loss in December.
GCU also held Hawai'i to 51 points on the night. This marks the second lowest points they've allowed an opponent to score this season.

Up Next
The Lopes conclude its slate in beautiful Hawai'i as they play former Division II foe Chaminade on Saturday, Dec.31 in a New Year's Eve clash. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. MST.