Phoenix, AZ  (January 24, 2012) – The Hawai'i Pacific women's basketball team wrapped up its three game road swing on a high note with a 70-59 victory over 11th ranked Grand Canyon . Mana Hopkins was again the catalyst with 25 points and nine rebounds.

The first half was very close, with neither team building more than a six point lead. The game was tied for the seventh time with: 33 left in the first half, and then a Melody Ladrido layup gave HPU the lead heading to the break. Coming out of the locker room, HPU scored the first eight points, leading 43-33. With strong defense and good shooting, HPU never let the lead slip below six. HPU led by as many as 14.

Despite playing with an illness, Taiyande Huskey played 39 minutes. She scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds, passed out four assists and ripped five steals. Paris Gravely hit three three-pointers as a part of her 15 points. Hopkins also had a team-high nine rebounds and hit three triples.

HPU shot 46% (23-50) for the game but limited GCU to a 27% (9-23) shooting performance in the second half. HPU was also good from long range, hitting 9-18. The Sea Warriors were nearly perfect at the line going 15-16.  

It was a physical game, in front of over 1,000 GCU fans in their new gym, yet HPU escaped with its first win in Arizona since March of 2010. Hopkins scored 20 or more points for the eighth time this season.

Grand Canyon is now 13-2 overall and 5-2 in the PacWest, they were led by Maylinn Smith's 18 points.

HPU is now 11-7, 5-3 and will host California Baptist on Monday at the Neil Blaisdell Center at 5 PM.