GCU makes history in women's hoops with first NCAA II playoff win since league reformed

POMONA, CA – Grand Canyon built a 15-point first-half lead, then hung on to edge #7 seed Seattle Pacific 53-51 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II West Regional on Friday in Pomona, CA.

The win marked the first NCAA post-season triumph for a PacWest women’s basketball team since the league reemerged in its current structure beginning with the 2006-07 campaign.

The victory also lifts the #2 seeded Antelopes to 28-2 overall and their 16^th consecutive victory. Senior guard Samantha Murphy (Phoenix, AZ/Xavier Prep) led all point-getters with 25, while freshman guard/forward Maylinn Smith (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) tossed in 16. Junior center/forward Jallisa Butler (Las Vegas, NV/Cimarro n) had 11 rebounds and five points in the win.

The Antelopes now face #3 Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the regional semifinals. The Sea Otters defeated #6 Dixie State 68-59 in a quarterfinal round contest, preventing an All-PacWest battle in the semifinals. The winner of the contest will face either Alaska Anchorage or top-seeded Cal State Monterey Bay in the West Region title contest on Monday.

In the loss to Cal State Monterey Bay, the Red Storm was led by sophomore forward Johnna Brown (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial) who topped all scorers with 19 points, and junior guard Sheila Adams (Layton, UT/Layton) who chipped in 15. Senior forward Breann Hill (Harrisburg, PA/McDevitt) contributed 10 points in the defeat.

The Red Storm ended its season with a terrific 24-4 record while finishing second in the PacWest.