GCU pushes second-place Vaqueros to the brink

Saturday, February 6

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

12-13, 4-5

Texas Rio Grande Valley

14-10, 6-3

UTRGV

Grand Canyon

2/6/2016 6:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Jones has third double-double of the season

By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX - GCU garnered a blistering 29 points in the fourth quarter and combined for 44 in the second half alone as the Lopes fell to UT Rio Grande Valley, 68-66 in the final seconds on Saturday afternoon.

With her third double-double of the season,Dana Jones posted 24 points and 10 rebounds as the team's leading scorer. Cheyenne Hedrington went off in the fourth quarter with a combined nine points off a barrage of three-pointers and finished the night with 11 points and five rebounds.

"Us coaches are seeking perfection. When you talk about the first three quarters, they're just as important as one at the end," head coach Trent May said. "That's the difference. I'm definitely proud of our girls. They're a resilient group. They don't give up. They're a bunch of fighters. It may not be pretty, but they fight and compete. They never give up on each other or the staff. Wish we could've had that last bucket. Great look. That's what you want. It would've been awesome game-winner."

The second half told the tale, as the Lopes mounted an impressive comeback which sprang from a hard-fought contest in the third quarter. The two teams would open up the fourth battling back and forth as the Lopes posted 29 points and Dana Jones drained a three pointer at the 8:43 mark to ignite the comeback rally.Hendrington,Zelor Massaquoiand Courtney Hayes all chipped in as the Lopes soured back to within one with 0:06 seconds left on the clock.

As UTRGV's Nichele Hyman went to the foul line and made one-of-two free throws to put the Vaqueros back up by two, GCU charged down the court in the final seconds as Hayes dished the ball out to Jones and then to Hendrington with 0.1 seconds left. But, Hendrington's three-point attempt would fall short as it bounced off the rim to solidify the final outcome.

With the loss, GCU moved to 12-13 overall and 4-5 in WAC play, while UT Rio Grand Valley improved to 14-10 overall and 6-3 in league action. The Lopes return to action Saturday, Feb. 13 and will host Seattle University. Tip-off is set for 7 pm at Grand Canyon University Arena.