PHOENIX. AZ – After knocking Dixie State from the ranks of the Pacific West Conference unbeatens. Grand Canyon used Friday night's contest to make a huge statement. Shooting a blazing 72-percent in the second half. the host Antelopes handily defeated the ladies of Dixie State 95-65 in a non-conference matchup.

Dixie State dropped its second consecutive game and falls to 8-7 on the season. Grand Canyon improved to 11-6 with the win.

Dixie was led by the fantastic freshman Shanae Vaifanua (Hurricane, UT/Hurricane) (Hurricane. UT) in scoring with 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor. The DSC bench. led by center BreAnne Haslam (Mountain Green. UT/Morgan) (Jr. Mountain Green. UT). provided one of the few bright spots outscoring the Grand Canyon reserves 34-15. Haslam had 12 points and matched Vaifanua with a team-high five rebounds.

Jessica Rodgers (Covington. WA/Kentwood) (So. Covington. WA) played only six minutes. but maximized every second to finish with a season-high seven points.

Four GCU starters – Samantha Murphy. Rosalyn Nelson. Dana Iverson and Stacy Haddow - reached double figures in scoring while the fifth starter. Erin Murphy. finished with nine. The Lopes finished the game at 59-percent from the field.

The two teams will renew this budding rivalry in early March in St. George to close out the regular season.

Dixie State heads home for two games against Notre Dame de Namur University on Monday and Tuesday nights. January 26-27. Monday's game will count toward the battle for the Pac West regular-season championship while Tuesday's game will be non-conference. Both games tip at 5:30 p.m. Mountain.

John Potter will have all the action on DixieAtheltics.com beginning at 5:15 p.m.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

Dixie State's new team name and mascot will be revealed Monday night during halftime of the men's game against NDNU scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Fans will have a chance for their picture to be taken with the new mascot free of charge after the men's game.

-- John Potter. DSC Sports Information