PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Grand Canyon Antelopes secured their first victory of the season Tuesday night, using a dominant third-quarter run and a significant advantage at the free-throw line to defeat the SMU Mustangs 76-60 in a non-conference women’s basketball game at Grand Canyon University Arena.

In a matchup of teams seeking to halt early-season slides, the Antelopes broke open a close game after halftime. Leading by eight points at the break, Grand Canyon outscored SMU 23-17 in the third period to build a comfortable cushion that the Mustangs could not overcome.

Ale’Jah Douglas led the Antelopes’ offensive charge, scoring 16 points in just 23 minutes on the floor. She was instrumental in Grand Canyon’s efficiency, contributing to a team performance that saw them convert 21 of 26 attempts from the charity stripe. Chloe Mann added 15 points, while Ines Zounia provided a spark off the bench with 10 points.

The Mustangs were led by Zahra King, who poured in a game-high 19 points. Paulina Paris was the only other SMU player in double figures, finishing with 12 points.

Despite the final score, SMU’s defense was disruptive, forcing 22 Grand Canyon turnovers and recording 16 steals. Anaya Brown anchored the defense with six blocks. However, the Mustangs’ offensive struggles proved insurmountable. They shot a frigid 1 for 17 from three-point range and connected on only 13 of their 23 free-throw attempts. Their offensive rating of 73.2 points per 100 possessions paled in comparison to Grand Canyon’s mark of 95.8.

The game was decided in the paint and on the glass, where the Antelopes held a commanding edge. Grand Canyon hauled in 16 offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities, and out-assisted SMU 16 to 6, demonstrating more fluid ball movement.

The win improves Grand Canyon’s record to 1-4, providing a positive note after four consecutive losses to open the season. SMU, meanwhile, drops its second straight game and falls to 1-3 on the young season.

An announced crowd of 812 at Grand Canyon University Arena saw the Antelopes control the game’s tempo for the majority of the second half, pulling away after establishing a 34-26 halftime lead. The victory was a statistical anomaly, as Grand Canyon won decisively despite committing more turnovers and shooting a lower percentage from the field than the Mustangs. Their success from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line, coupled with their work on the offensive boards, ultimately made the difference.