PHOENIX—Late offensive rebounds by the opposition cost the Vandals for the second consecutive day. Idaho fell to Grand Canyon, 64-60, closing out the Grand Canyon Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday.

Five fourth-quarter offensive boards by the 'Lopes, helped GCU erase a 58-55 Idaho lead. The 'Lopes gained a 59-58 lead at the 2:13 mark. Idaho's offense went scoreless for a span of four minutes in the final stretch. GCU hit key free throws, extending its lead to 64-58 with inside a minute to play. Brooke Reilly cut the lead down to four for the Vandals with five seconds to go. Idaho could not get its last-
second chances to fall, finishing the weekend 0-2.   

Mikayla Ferenz powered the Vandals on offense on the day. She led the team with 20 points in her 38 minutes. Reilly recorded her first double-double of the season with 16 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Taylor Pierce added nine points.

"I loved the way we started the game," head coach Jon Newlee commented. "Our defensive intensity was night and day from yesterday. Offensively, we were really moving the ball. That all went out the window in the second quarter, putting us in a big hole."

The Vandals opened the day strong, shooting 50.0 percent from the field in the first quarter. Idaho went 7-of-14 in the first 10 minutes of play, getting nine points from Ferenz. Idaho limited the 'Lopes to just 4-of-17 shooting, outscoring GCU 19-12.

GCU (3-2) flipped the script on the Vandals in the second quarter. A 7-0 run started the period for GCU. A Taylor Pierce 3-ball broke the tie, putting Idaho back up 22-19. The Vandals offense went cold for the next 4:51 as the 'Lopes torched the Vandals for 18 straight points, gaining a 37-22 lead. The Vandals regained some momentum at the end of the half with a 9-3 run, slimming GCU's lead to 40-31 at the break.

Idaho (2-3) fired back out of the break with 3's from Ferenz and Reilly, helping Idaho to a 10-0 run to retake the lead 41-40. The Vandals shot 7-for-15 from the field, outscoring GCU 20-9 in the frame. Reilly scored nine of her 16 points in the third.

"We regrouped at the half and came out on a great run [to start the third]," Newlee added. "Our effort on the offensive boards fueled that nad we came out hot from 3. I thought Mikayla did a great job with heavy pressure on her. What ultimately decided this game was our carelessness with the basketball. We had 19 turnovers and the fact that we missed wide open looks from 3 and point blank put backs in the fourth hurt. "

The Vandals out-rebounded GCU, 46-37. GCU held the slight edge in second-chance points 9-6 and bench points 13-11, respectively. The Vandals were able to get out and run on the night, totaling 16 fast-break points.

"We battled in a tough environment," Newlee said. "I thought [Nejra] Solo, Brigitte [O'Neill] and Izzy [Hadden] gave us good minutes. I'm proud of their effort tonight. We will learn from this and get better."

Casey Rarrick led Grand Canyon with 20 points. Aniya Baker added 15 points and 12 rebounds.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also follow Idaho women's basketball on Twitter, @VandalsWBB.