GCU sweeps season series over Seattle U

Saturday, February 13

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

13-13, 5-5

Seattle

9-16, 3-7

Grand Canyon

2/13/2016 4:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Hauser

PHOENIX - Despite facing a 10-point deficit after 10 minutes of play, the Grand Canyon women's basketball team shifted the momentum beginning in the second period and held off a late Seattle U comeback to win 60-53 on Saturday afternoon at GCU Arena. The Lopes outscored the Redhawks 40-17 over the course of the second and third periods, taking leads as large as 13 points.

With the victory, Grand Canyon evens both its overall and conference records, moving to 13-13 overall and 5-5 in WAC play. The Redhawks have dropped five consecutive games, falling to 9-16 overall and 3-7 in conference. Cheyenne Hedrington recorded her third double-double of the season with 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Leading GCU in scoring was Jessica Gajewski with 19 points, shooting 50 percent from three-point range. Courtney Hayes filled up the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds and a team-high nine assists.

The Lopes got off to a hot start in the first quarter with Alyx Bloom and Gajewski both knocking down 3-point shots. Seattle U, however, finished the opening period on a 20-5 run as they held a 10-point advantage at the quarter break. The Redhawks used 5 fast-break points and 7 second-chance points to do the offensive damage in the period.

Grand Canyon turned the tide in the second quarter, outscoring the Redhawks 20-9 to head into the locker room with a 32-31 edge. Bloom and Gajewski continued their strong shooting from beyond the arc, each knocking down a pair of 3-point shots in the second period. GCU shot 6-of-13 from long distance in the first half. When the Lopes weren't converting on 3-point shots, they were scoring inside on passes from Hayes. The senior guard finished the first half with 7 assists.

The Lopes continued their momentum into the third period, making frequent trips to the foul line. GCU was in the bonus from the 6:32 mark of the period on, making 12 trips to the line. After three quarters, the Lopes held a 52-39 advantage.

It wasn't all smooth sailing from there for Grand Canyon, as Seattle U pulled within four points at the 2:29 mark. The Redhawks used a 7-0 run in the late stages of the game. Grand Canyon had a scoring drought of 5:16. A would-be game-tying three from the Redhawks was off the mark and Zelor Massaquoi secured the rebound to seal the victory.

The Lopes will now hit the road for their final WAC road trip of the season as they travel to face Missouri-Kansas City and Chicago State.