Another road test proved too much for the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine.

UH’s second-half leads were short-lived at Grand Canyon as the Wahine fell to the Antelopes 54-51 on Monday afternoon in Phoenix.

The Wahine also led in the second half at USC on Saturday before falling 66-55, marking the first time this season Laura Beeman’s team (6-6) was swept on a road trip.

UH doesn’t resume play until Big West Conference action starts up Jan. 8. It had a chance at a late comeback in its final nonconference game. The Wahine were down three with the ball, but the Antelopes smartly applied a foul on Destiny King to prevent a 3-point shot with nine seconds left.

After trading free throws, UH inbounded with two seconds to go. Senior Shawna Kuehu had a final desperation heave from near midcourt to tie, but her shot caromed off the backboard.

Senior forward Kamilah Jackson led UH with 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

"I still think we still had an opportunity at some point," Beeman said. "We missed some free throws down the stretch. They took a foul, we couldn’t get a 3, they hit their free throws. We had a last-second look, Shawna crossing halfcourt on a prayer. That’s not how you want your last-second shot to go, that’s for sure, but it’s the best look she could get."

GCU (10-2) graduated from the Division II Pacific West Conference up to the reformed Western Athletic Conference of Division I and has wasted little time making itself known, both this season overall and this game; the precocious team stole the ball 16 times from UH. It was crushed on the glass by the Wahine 50-32, but UH’s ball-control issues (23 turnovers to GCU’s 13) proved too much to overcome.

"You don’t win ballgames when you don’t have the ball," Beeman said. "Both teams shot very, very poorly. We killed them on the boards, but we turned it over too much."

UH took its first lead of the second half at 35-34 on a layup by King. The Antelopes promptly jumped back ahead. UH’s biggest advantage late was 45-42 on a basket by Jackson.

Forward Judy Jones led the Antelopes with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Some of the Wahine will remain on the mainland for Christmas with their families. Beeman and other players will return to the islands today.