NDNU travels to #9 Grand Canyon for PacWest Women’s Basketball Game of the Week

Maylinn Smith PHOENIX, Ariz. – The 2011-12 Pacific West Conference women’s basketball schedule begins this Saturday, Dec. 3, when Notre Dame de Namur hops a flight to Phoenix to take on #9 Grand Canyon in the PacWest Game of the Week.

Each week during the women’s basketball season, the PacWest will spotlight a game that will be broadcast live over the Internet. The Antelopes and Argos will tip off at 4:30 p.m. with the audio and video broadcast available at no cost to viewers.

Grand Canyon is the lone unbeaten team remaining in the PacWest and boasts a 4-0 record heading into the start of the conference schedule. The Antelopes jumped four places from 13th to ninth in this week’s USA TODAY ESPN Division II Top 25 Women's Basketball Poll.

The Antelopes currently lead the PacWest in scoring defense, allowing just 47.0 points per game. That average is 15.3 points lower than runner-up California Baptist.

GCU also is ranked fourth in points per game (61.8), first in scoring margin (+14.8), first in free throw shooting (83.1%), third in shooting (40.4%), second in field goal percentage defense (31.5%), first in three-point shooting (37.0%), first in rebounding defense (30.0 rpg.), and first in rebounding margin (+12.2).

GCU sophomore guard/forward Maylinn Smith (Mesa, AZ/Mesquite) leads the PacWest in scoring with her 17.3 points-per-game average. Senior forward Jallisa Butler (Las Vegas, NV/Cimarron) averages 7.5 rebounds per game and is ranked fifth in the league.

The Argonauts are 1-3 on the season, picking up their lone victory of the young season vs. Holy Names on Nov. 18 in a 69-60 contest. They are currently ranked sixth in scoring (59.2 ppg.), second in free throw shooting (79.7%), and third in rebounding defense (37.8 rpg.).

NDNU junior center Trisha Malaspina (Burlingame, CA/Burlingame) and senior center Emily Vore (San Bernardino, CA/Redlands) power the Argos’ offense.

Malaspina averages 12.0 points per game and is tied for 12th in the PacWest, while Vore is 13th in the league in scoring thanks to her 11.3 points-per-game average. Senior forward Pilar Mullins (Millbrae, CA/Mills) is averaging 11.4 points per contest.