Lopes ink first victory in Powell era

Wednesday, November 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 P.M.

Grand Canyon

1-4

Benedictine

3-4

Benedictine

Grand Canyon

11/22/2017 8:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Jackson, Hailey lead GCU with career-bests

By: Sarah Woodward

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Career days from redshirt senior transfer Jordan Jackson and freshman Camille Hailey led the Grand Canyon women's basketball team to its first victory under first year head coach Nicole Powell, as the Lopes (1-4, 0-0 WAC) defeated in-state foe Benedictine (3-4, 0-0 Cal Pac), 67-53, on Wednesday night at the GCU Arena.

"Benedictine is a great local opponent," head coach Nicole Powell said. "I have a ton of respect for their staff and program. Tonight was an opportunity for some different faces on our team to step up. We're battling injuries right now and I thought we had some nice, unexpected performances.

"Camille Hailey's career-high was a bright spot for our team. I was glad that we were able to pull out a victory tonight. Jordan (Jackson) did a nice job as well."

Off the bench, Jackson led the Lopes with a career- best 18 points on the night in just 25 minutes of action, while also leading GCU with a game-high tying nine rebounds. Hailey was right behind with 17 points of her own, while adding four boards and three assists in her first career start with the Lopes.

Redshirt senior August Touchard was also in double-digits against the Redhawks, as the guard netted 11 points, paired with eight boards and a game-high tying six assists.

Redshirt junior Katelyn Lee tallied nine on the night, while junior transfer ShaRon Miller had a career-best seven points off the bench.

Trailing Benedictine 31-30 at halftime, the Lopes returned to the hardwood and outscored the Redhawks 24-12 in the third quarter thanks to six points from Hailey and five apiece from Touchard and Miller.

GCU continued the momentum in the fourth quarter by outscoring Benedictine, 13-10, with four points from Hailey and three each from the trio of Touchard, junior transfer Kavita Akula and Jackson.

The Lopes hit the road for the next three games, beginning Saturday, Nov. 25 at Valparaiso. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. (MT). GCU will then take a two-game road trip to Florida for games against Florida Atlantic on Friday, Dec. 1 and Bethune-Cookman on Sunday, Dec. 3.