PHOENIX, Ariz. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team (4-8) fell at Grand Canyon University (4-7), 69-54, on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 21, inside GCU Arena. 

With the loss, NDSU falls to 4-8 on the season while Grand Canyon improves to 4-7.

Senior guard Brooke LeMar scored 12 points in the second half to finish with a team-high 14, and junior forward Holly Johnson netted 13 points in the second stanza to also finish in double figures for the Bison. Senior forward Liz Keena pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds to pace NDSU on the boards.

The Bison shot 36 percent from the field for the game, going 21-for-59, but were held to just 19 total points and 25 percent (7-for-28) shooting in the opening half. North Dakota State was outrebounded by Grand Canyon in the contest, 44-32, including a 12-7 deficit on the offensive boards.

The Antelopes were paced by three players in double figures, led by Tori Morris' 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Courtney Hayes netted a double-double for Grand Canyon with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Astrea Reed also tallied a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds and 10 points.

Grand Canyon went 43 percent from the field in the game, going 26-for-60, and scored 23 points off 16 North Dakota State turnovers.

The Bison are scheduled to host Brandon University (Canada) in an exhibition game on Dec. 29 at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse before opening Summit League play at Scheels Arena on Jan. 2 against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the first of two doubleheaders with the NDSU men's basketball team.