Box Score Phoenix, Ariz. -- Mokun Fajemisin hit a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining to secure UC Irvine's 54-53 victory over Grand Canyon University Sunday at the Grand Canyon Arena.
The Anteaters pick up the first win of the season (1-1) , while Grand Canyon drops their season opener.
Fajemisin poured in a career-high 21 points, including 15 in the second half to lead the Anteaters. The forward went 7-13 from the floor and 7-7 from the line. She also led the team with seven rebounds.
UCI junior guard Raelyn Cheung-Sutton was also clutch in the second half adding seven of her career-high nine points in the last 20 minutes. Cheung-Sutton also grabbed a career-best five rebounds to go with three assists. Forward Brittany Glassow scored all six of her points in the first half. Senior guard Madison McKenney added five points and senior forward Methlyn Onogomuho recorded six rebounds.
The Anteaters shot 41.7 percent (20-48) from the floor and 85.7 percent (12-14) from the line. The Antelopes were 18-67 (26.9%) from the field and 10-16 (62.5%). UCI went 2-8 from three-point distance, while GCU was 7-32.
Grand Canyon's August Touchard came off the bench to lead the 'Lopes with 19 points, hitting three three-pointers. Jessica Gajewski had 11 points and Mikaehla Connor had a game-high 12 rebounds.
UC Irvine started the game quickly with an 8-2 lead, but Grand Canyon's August Touchard and Madison Craig entered the game and combined for 13 points to narrow the gap to 18-17 with 8:15 on the clock. UCI would hold a 23-19 lead on a Madison McKenney three-pointer at 7:36, but the Anteaters would not score again until Jenny Dee hit a three-pointer at 2:02 to take a 26-23 lead. The Antelopes would score the final three points of the half for a 26-26 score at intermission.
GCU scored first six points of the half to take their first lead of the game, but UCI answered with six of their own to knot the score for the third time at 32 all (16:31). UCI would go on an 11-2 run which included seven points from Mokun Fajemsin and four from Raelyn Cheung-Sutton to open a 43-37 advantage with 10:50 left. Cheung-Sutton would hit two free throws and give UCI a 51-43 lead at 2:53 before GCU would out-score the Anteaters 7-1, capped by a Craig three-pointer to narrow the lead to 52-50 with 34 seconds remaining. A UCI turnover gave the Antelopes a three-point attempt opportunity which bounced off and was rebounded by Fajemisin with six ticks to go. She made both and Touchard drained a three-pointer with a second to go. The Anteaters would inbound the ball and time expired.
UCI will host Pepperdine Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 7:00 p.m. in the Bren Events Center.
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