GCU (1-1) hit just 28.3 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from the free-throw line. The classic concludes Sunday when the Antelopes, who are receiving votes in the poll, take on No. 11 UC San Diego at 6:30 p.m. (PDT).
“We had our chances. Give credit to Alaska-Anchorage for closing it out,” said GCU coach Trent May. “We missed easy shots around the basket and missed free throws. In any tough game, those things can be the difference.”
Down six with 35 seconds left until halftime, Rosalyn Nelson (Phoenix, AZ, Deer Valley) hit a short baseline jumper, stole the inbounds pass and found Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, AZ, Xavier Prep), who hit a 3-pointer and was fouled. Murphy hit the free throw to tie the game.
Anchorage answered at the midway buzzer with a good jumper from Kaitlin McBride.
Trailing by only two at the break, 33-31, Grand Canyon couldn’t get any closer in the second half.
“We did a good job on defense, but I think we got flustered on offense,” said Murphy. “It’s a learning experience.”
A lay-up from Stevie Kamp (Mesa, Ariz., Mountain View, Nova Southeastern) cut the lead to 45-42, but Anchorage, on its fourth shot attempt of the possession, got a 3-pointer from Alysa Horn to make it a six-point game with just less than seven minutes to play.
A Maylinn Smith (Gilbert, Ariz., Mesquite) 3-pointer cut it to four, 59-55, with 1:22 left, but the ‘Lopes didn’t score again and the Seawolves connected on their final four free-throw attempts.
Murphy finished the game with 21 points. Smith had 14.
Murphy became the program’s first player to score over 1,400 points and has 1,407 going into Sunday’s game with UC San Diego. Nelson scored six points and went over 1,200 (1,202) for her career, only the third player in school history to do so.
Nelson led GCU in rebounds (eight) and assists (three) and co-led in steals (two) with Murphy. Smith had seven rebounds.
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