Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Austin McKeon)

San Francisco, CA – Two weapons in No. 17 Grand Canyon's arsenal were on display Saturday afternoon at Kezar Pavilion as Maylinn Smith and Jallisa Butler led the way for the Antelopes in a 67-59 victory over Academy of Art University. After ART U attacked the rim and converted from the free throw line in the first half, GCU ended up going on an 8-0 run early in the second half thanks to sharp shooting from Smith and it was the 'Lopes who picked up the win. Sophomore forward Alisa Griggs finished with a team-high 18 points, surpassing the 500-point mark in just her second season as an Urban Knight, and junior forward Ariel Dale added 17 points.

Though Griggs got ART U going early with a steal and a breakaway layup, the game began in foreboding fashion for GCU as Smith followed by knocking down her first three-point attempt. From there, the Antelopes would steadily build a 15-point advantage with a 25-11 run which included five straight from Sheila Washington at one point.

Academy of Art, however, literally fought its way into the painted area repeatedly and managed to drop that margin down to 10 points, 31-21, late in the half. Junior center Juliua Fraser converted two at the foul line, then Dale added four consecutive made free throws, and senior guard Lorraine Etchell finished off the push with a fastbreak jumper. Smith and Butler would each make baskets in the final 1:30 though and it was a 35-21 Grand Canyon advantage at the break.

“The first time we played GCU, we shot the ball extremely well from floor, including long range and knew we would have to do that in order to beat a team of their caliber," head coach LaNay Larson said. "Unfortunately we weren't able to do that the second time, shots just wouldn't fall, especially from the three-point line and you have to credit their defense; that's why they lead the nation in that category."

After going 4-of-4 from beyond the arc in the first period, Smith continued her sizzling shooting with three more buckets from distance in the first three minutes of the second half. Griggs and junior guard Nicol Biesek had helped cut the GCU lead down to 13, but soon it was back up to 21 thanks to Smith. The teams would then endure over two minutes of scoreless basketball before the 'Lopes scored again to keep their margin at 20 points.

“We gave up way too many offensive rebounds, something we had talked about being a weak point the first time around when we played them," Coach Larson said. "We continued to struggle with that again and they are just too big and athletic for us not to be very fundamental in our box outs. They had a lot of second chance points on the weak side and also managed to find Smith on a lot of the rebounds and loose balls. She is a great shooter and just isn't someone you can give open looks to and unfortunately when we give up offensive boards, we find ourselves out of position defensively.”

Midway through the second period, ART U went on a quick 6-2 burst to come within 15 points, but Grand Canyon refused to let the Knights come any closer particularly as Smith nailed her Pacific West Conference record-tying eighth 3-pointer which came with 4:53 left. GCU would hold on for the 67-49 at the game's conclusion.

With 488 points coming into Saturday's contest, Griggs scored 18 against the 'Lopes to move into the 500 career point club. She shot an efficient 6-for-8 from the field while adding five rebounds and three steals. Dale finished with 17 points and lived at the foul line where she made 11 of her 14 free throws. The 11 free throws made tied the program record set by Sondra Stilwell back on Jan. 17, 2009 versus Cal State East Bay. Senior guard Devin London contributed six points with six assists and four steals. The Urban Knights are now 15-10 overall and 11-6 in PacWest play.

The game-high of 34 points went to Grand Canyon's Smith after she went 8-of-10 from long range to tie the PacWest single-game record. Butler ended her afternoon with 16 points and 18 rebounds including 11 on the offensive glass. Not other Antelope scored in double figures, but Angelina Dennison added eight points and 11 rebounds for a GCU squad which rises to 21-3 overall, 13-3 in conference.

“I thought the effort was there," Coach Larson said. "I was proud of our defense and forcing 27 turnovers on 16 steals. Unfortunately it wasn't our day. Grand Canyon is a great team who I believe will be very successful in the NCAA Tournament.”

The 2011-12 Academy of Art University comes to an end next Saturday, Mar. 3 when the Knights welcome Notre Dame de Namur to Kezar Pavilion. That Homecoming game is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.

If you are headed to the game next Saturday for Homecoming, be sure to sign up for the FAN BUS at the following link: http://bit.ly/eC8mrO - Go to Basketball and fill out the form.