Second half slump dooms Kats at GCU

Saturday, January 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

3:00 PM

5-12,0-6WAC

Grand Canyon

12-5,5-1WAC

Sam Houston

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Brian Blalock

Second half slump dooms Kats at GCU

1/22/2022 5:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz – A big third quarter by Grand Canyon was too much for the Sam Houston women's basketball team to overcome on Saturday afternoon in a 73-54 loss to the Antelopes at GCU Arena.

Madelyn Batista put in 18 points and had seven rebounds, but the Kats (5-12, 0-6 WAC) were outscored 27-17 in the third quarter after only trailing by a point at the half, which was a deficit too deep to overcome.

The Kats held an early lead in the third quarter after scoring the first four points of the period, but GCU (12-5, 5-1 WAC) responded with a 14-4 run and built its lead to double digits by the end of the stanza.

Sam Houston dominated the glass by a 43-30 margin, but committed 27 turnovers in the game while not hitting a 3-point basket until Sydnee Kemp connected from long distance in the game's final minute.

Courtney Cleveland joined Batista in double-figure scoring with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Kaylee Jefferson hauled in 10 boards to go with six points.

The Kats will try for their first WAC win of the year again on Monday night in Edinburg against UTRGV.