PHOENIX, Ariz. | Ne'vaeh Buntley scored a team-high 16 points, and Jackson State delivered an improved defensive effort in the fourth quarter before falling to Grand Canyon, 77-55, Wednesday night at Global Credit Union Arena.
Jackson State (0-2) outscored the Lopes 18-10 in the final period, limiting Grand Canyon to 21.1 percent shooting over the last 10 minutes. Jackson State also played turnover-free basketball in the fourth and knocked down eight of nine free throws.
Buntley finished 5-for-11 from the field with two 3-pointers, four rebounds, an assist and a steal. Joi Johnson added eight points and three rebounds, while Madison Eddings provided seven points and a team-leading six rebounds off the bench. Justine Tchehchoua contributed seven points, and Sierra Tuliau scored six on a pair of fourth-quarter 3-pointers.
Jackson State stayed within striking distance throughout much of the opening quarter. Johnson converted a three-point play to pull the Tigers within one, and Buntley followed with a 3-pointer that tied the game at 11 with 2:18 remaining. Grand Canyon answered with consecutive triples and carried a 20-13 advantage into the second period.
Tchehchoua opened JSU's second-quarter scoring with a three-point play. Free throws from Rhianna Battles and Tchehchoua trimmed the deficit to 23-18 with 8:05 left before halftime, but Grand Canyon used a 26-9 second quarter to build a 46-22 lead at the break.
Buntley and Eddings fueled the Tigers' offense in the third quarter, combining for all 14 of Jackson State's points from the field. Buntley scored seven in the period, while Eddings added seven, helping JSU produce 15 third-quarter points.
The Tigers continued battling in the fourth. Tuliau connected from beyond the arc twice, Buntley added five points, and Tchehchoua completed another three-point play. Jackson State held Grand Canyon scoreless from 5:09 until the final 35 seconds, putting together a 10-0 run during that stretch.
Nyadieng Yiech led Grand Canyon (1-0) with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Lopes finished with a 47-29 rebounding advantage and 20 second-chance points.
Inside the Numbers
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Jackson State received 24 points from its bench, led by seven apiece from Eddings and Tchehchoua.
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The Tigers committed 10 turnovers and forced 12.
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JSU recorded 11 assists on 17 made field goals.
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Buntley and Tuliau combined to make all four of Jackson State's 3-pointers.
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Jackson State held Grand Canyon to 36.8 percent shooting overall and an 0-for-8 mark from 3-point range in the fourth quarter.
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The Tigers finished 17-for-25 at the free-throw line and scored 22 points in the paint.
Up Next
The Tigers will host their home opener at the AAC on Monday against Mississippi Univeristy for Women. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and admission is free.
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