GCU Falls just short at UNLV, 68-61

Grand Canyon hit 11-of-23 3-pointers and led by five points at halftime, before losing to Division I University of Nevada Las Vegas at Cox Pavilion Monday.

It was GCU's final exhibition game. The regular season begins at the Disney Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif. Nov. 12 against Texas Woman's University.

"I'm proud of our girls and proud of our effort," said GCU head coach Trent May. "We hung in there together and were just a couple of plays away from winning it."

Sophomore guard Jazmyn Foster (Phoenix, Ariz., Thunderbird, New Mexico State) hit seven 3-pointers and had 21 points. Freshman Maylinn Smith (Gilbert, Ariz., Mesquite) had 13 points, including two 3-pointers.

Senior guard Rosalyn Nelson (Phoenix, AZ, Deer Valley) had a team-best eight rebounds and four assists.

UNLV boasts nine players on its roster 6-feet-tall or taller. Grand Canyon has three. The Lady Rebels won the rebounding battle 60-39.

Foster's second trey of the game gave GCU an 8-6 lead. After UNLV tied the game, Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, AZ, Xavier Prep) hit a 3-pointer to give Canyon the lead for the remainder of the half. The advantage grew to eight, 18-10, on a layup from freshman Jenna Pearson (Gilbert, Ariz., Gilbert Christian) and to 10, 27-17, when Foster drained another 3-pointer with 7:14 left in the half.

The 'Lopes had their last lead, 55-53, with 7:40 left in the contest and got back within one, 59-58, with 6:36 left on a 3-pointer from senior guard Kristi Girdley (Aliso Viejo, CA, Aliso Niguel).