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PHOENIX, Ariz.—The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team battled all game against Grand Canyon, but fell just short, 54-51 at the GCU Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on Monday afternoon. Kamilah Jackson recorded her eighth double-double of the season to lead Hawai'i. She scored a game-high 14 points and was tied with GCU's Judy Jones with a game-high 12 rebounds. Hawai'i finished its non-conference schedule with a 6-6 record.
 
In the first half, the Rainbow Wahine jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game on a 3-pointer and layup by Jackson. But the Antelopes came charging back on an 11-to-0 run to lead by six with 14:24 left in the first half. The 'Bows would close the gap within two points twice with less than eight minutes left, but it was GCU who held on to the lead going into halftime, 29-22.
 
The second half saw six lead changes and two ties. Hawai'i kept chipping away at GCU's lead and midway through the seocnd half, went on a 9-to-0 run to take the lead on a Destiny King layup to go up 35-34 with 11:05 left in the game. The lead would go back and forth down the stretch. Ashleigh Karaitiana tied the game one last time with 3:24 on the clock on a layup, 47-47. But that would be the closest UH would come as the Antelopes held off the 'Bows in the final three minutes. Hawai'i had one last chance with :02-seconds left on the clock. Shawna-Lei Kuehu launched a half-court shot at the buzzer that ricocheted off the backboard but it didn't go through the cylinder.
 
Hawai'i outscored the 'Lopes in the second half, 29-25, but it was not enough to capture the win. The Rainbow Wahine tied their season-high with 50 rebounds in the game while GCU cleared 32 boards. Both of UH's 50 rebound-games resulted in losses (the other to Colorado State). The 'Bows shot 25% from the floor (8-of-32) in the first half, but improved to 40% (10-of-25) in the second half. For the game, UH hit 31.6% of their field goal attempts. GCU committed just 13 turnovers to Hawai'i's 23 and the 'Lopes outscored UH in the paint, 30-to-24 and in points off turnovers 11-to-20. Hawai'i had the advantage in second chance points 10-to-2 and in points off the bench, 14-to-10.
 
Jackson bounced back from her lowest point total of the season (five) at USC to score 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting. She also made her sixth trey of season and went 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Jackson pulled down 10 defensive and two offensive rebounds. It marked her 51st career double-double. She also tied her season-high with five assists plus a blocked shot. Jackson has scored in double-figures in 11-of-12 games and has led UH in rebounds in 10-of-12 games this season.
 
King also scored in double-figures for the fifth time this year, adding 11 points with four rebounds and a steal. Ashleigh Karaitiana, Shawna-Lei Kuehu and Diane Moore all had six points apiece. Kuehu tied her season high with three steals.
 
Grand Canyon was led by Judy Jones who had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Antelopes improved to 10-2 on the season.
 
The game against GCU was their final for the calendar year and marked their final non-conference pre-season game. UH went 4-2 at home while going 2-4 on the road. Next, Hawai'i will open its Big West season with a homestand on Jan. 8, 2014 against Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge on Jan 12. Prior to the CSUN game, UH will host its annual Alumnae Game. This year, in addition to its normal festivities, the Alumnae Game will be dedicated to former UH All-American Judy Mosley who passed away earlier this season.