SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona women's basketball team closed out their 2017-18 season on Saturday morning with a 56-54 victory over the Grand Canyon University club women's basketball team. 

This game was the second meeting in a week of these teams, the OUAZ Spirit and the GCU 'Lopes. The first quarter followed the suit of their first contest, with the Spirit jumping ahead early and dominating defensively. OUAZ used a full-court press to force GCU to make some bad passing decisions, and the Spirit converted those to steals to them outscore the 'Lopes 21-9.
 
In the second quarter, the 'Lopes stepped their defense, re-strategizing to attempt to stop the Spirit offense from dominating. The Spirit were able to hold the 'Lopes from getting too close, but couldn't breach the 'Lopes defense to widen the gap. The Spirit kept the lead 29-20 going into the second half.
 
After halftime, the third quarter progressed similarly to the second with both teams playing well defensively. Both sides scored 16 points for the quarter, but the Spirit kept the lead into the fourth quarter by nine points, 45-36.
 
In the final quarter of the game, the Spirit couldn't seem to finish offensively, missing shots and allowing the 'Lopes to tie the game with one minute to go. But the Spirit didn't waiver. Jorie Mayfield, resulting from OUAZ's "share-the-ball" style offense, was able to score the final shot with an assist by Hannah White to take the lead. Bailey Osmer had a crucial steal in the last seconds of play forcing the 'Lopes into a turnover and giving OUAZ control of the ball into the end of the game.
 
The Spirit out-stole and out-blocked the GCU 'Lopes for the game. They also led the game with offensive rebounds, dominating defensively in every category. Jorie Mayfield finished the game with a double-double, scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds.



--SPIRIT--
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.