Guard Corinn Waltrip matched a career-high with 23 points, nine of them in overtime, as Western Washington University defeated Grand Canyon University, 72-68, in final-day action Wednesday, Dec. 19, in women's basketball action between two nationally Top 25 ranked teams at the 2012 South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas.
The Vikings, ranked No. 20 in this week's Division II Top 25 Poll, improved to 8-2 with the triumph. They upset No. 6-rated Washburn KS, 64-62, on Tuesday.
"It was great to see this team step up and take ownership after two losses in California," WWU coach Carmen Dolfo said in a news release. "Rather than feeling sorry for themselves, they stepped up and played solid defense and played together."
Grand Canyon, No. 15 nationally, fell to 10-3 and had a nine-game winning streak snapped. Forward Judy Jones led the Antelopes with 24 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. It was her eighth straight double-double in points and rebounds.
In a game that featured 10 ties and 13 lead changes, Jones gave the Antelopes a 56-55 lead on a free throw with 3:35 left, then fed Maylinn Smith for a jumper with 1:59 to play to make the margin 58-55. But the Vikings forced overtime as Katie Colard hit a 3-pointer from the left wing, and at the other end, Jones missed a pull-up 12-footer with two seconds left.
WWU never trailed in the extra frame, using an 8-2 run to grab a 66-60 lead with 1:55 remaining, and from there, Waltrip, who hit a 3-pointer in the charge, converted six consecutive free throws to help the Vikings maintain the advantage.
Center Britt Harris had 15 points and 10 rebounds for WWU, forward Trishi Williams had 10 points and seven assists, and forward Sarah Hill grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds.
WESTERN WASHINGTON 72, GRAND CANYON 68
GRAND CANYON (10-3)
Jones, Judy 24; Smith, Maylinn 13; Ekweozor, Chigozie 8; Cannon, Jasmine 8; Paskell, Erica 4; Daniels, Deanna 4; Pearson, Jenna 3; McDonnell, Asha 2; Johnson, Justine 2; Martinez, Briana 0; Grayson, Jasmine 0. Totals 26-69 13-22 68.
WESTERN WASHINGTON (8-2)
Waltrip,Corinn 23; Harris,Britt 15; Williams,Trishi 10; Hill,Sarah 8; Donaldson,Sydney 6; Colard,Katie 6; Bernsen,Kayla 2; Ramstead,Erika 2; Hathaway,Aleisha 0; White,Jenni 0. Totals 25-70 16-26 72.
Half: WWU 28, GC 20
3-point goals--Grand Canyon 3 (Smith, Maylinn 1; Cannon, Jasmine 1; Pearson, Jenna 1), Western Washington 6 (Waltrip,Corinn 4). Fouled out--Grand Canyon-None, Western Washington-None. Rebounds--Grand Canyon 42 (Jones, Judy 15), Western Washington 57 (Hill,Sarah 15). Assists--Grand Canyon 17 (Cannon, Jasmine 7), Western Washington 18 (Williams,Trishi 7). Total fouls--Grand Canyon 20, Western Washington 15. Technical fouls--Grand Canyon-None, Western Washington-None. A-190
