Box Score PHOENIX, AZ – The Swords gave a valiant effort against the 'Lopes of Grand Canyon this afternoon, but lost 86-33 in a PacWest Conference matchup at GCU Arena.
The Swords came out ready to go against the 'Lopes, and were tied at 11-11 with 10:57 left in the opening half after forward
Rhani Kaneaiakala (Waimanalo, HI/Kamehameha) made a lay-up off an assist from junior point guard
Dianna Zane (Honolulu, HI/Roosevelt).
Grand Canyon responded with a 13-2 run over the next six-plus minutes of action to lead 24-13 with 5:47 left in the half. GCU led 34-21 at the break. Chaminade shot 30% in the first half while the Antelopes shot 46%. Sophomore
Glacen Florita (Ewa Beach, HI/Pearl City) and
Dianna Zane each connected on two three's in the first half to keep Chaminade within striking distance. As a team, CUH shot 40% (4-10) from three in the opening twenty minutes. The Swords were also aided by some aggressive defense, tallying six steals in the half. GCU owned a 23-8 rebounding advantage at the break.
Grand Canyon ran away with contest in the second half, as Chaminade struggled scoring the basketball, as the 'Lopes went on a 39-5 run and led 73-26 with 5:34 remaining in the contest.
Dianna Zane led the Silverswords in scoring with 13 points. No other Sword was in double-figures.
CUH shot 30% from the floor and Grand Canyon shot 46% on the contest. The Swords made five threes in eighteen attempts (28%) in the loss. CUH was just 1-8 from three in the second half after shooting it well from three in the first half.
Coach Keanini commented: “It was a tough game. GCU just wore us down in the second half. Awesome first half for us, but we weren't able to make the kind of effort for 40 minutes. We are playing hard, but struggling shooting. Dianna played a great game on every inch of the floor.”
The 'Lopes were led by Joslynn Frazier with 20 points. Grand Canyon out-rebounded CUH 52-18.
Chaminade remains on the road for PacWest action on Feb. 25th at Dixie State. Tip is set for 5:30 PM MT in St. George, UT.
The Swords are now 1-20, 1-14 PWC on the year, while GCU improves to 20-3, 12-3 PWC.
