WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reshanda Gray scored a career-high 24 points and Brittany Boyd had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but George Washington was able to escape with a 75-72 win over No. 10/11 California Friday night at the Charles E. Smith Center. 

California (1-2), playing without regular post players Gennifer Brandon and Justine Hartman, also had a 12-point outing from Afure Jemerigbe, but George Washington's (2-0) Megan Nipe scored a career-high 31 points to lead the Colonials to the victory.

The Bears held a 41-34 lead going into halftime, but the Colonials opened the second half with a 9-2 run to tie the score at 43, and took a 48-47 lead on two free throws by Chakecia Miller. Midway through the half, George Washington had a 7-0 run to make it 61-53 with 7:40 left.

California rallied and took a 67-66 lead on two free throws by Boyd, but a 3 from Danni Jackson put the Colonials back in front with 3:11 remaining in the game. Gray pulled Cal within one-point after a layup and free throw with 1:02 remaining, but George Washington scored the final two points on free throws to close out the 75-72 win. 

TEAM NOTES
• California starters: Boyd (G), Jefflo (G), Jemerigbe (G), Gray (F), Range (F) - one senior, two juniors and two freshmen
• California played without two of its regular post players in senior Gennifer Brandon and junior Justine Hartman, who both missed the game to illness
• Cal claimed its first lead of the game when Mikayla Lyles hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 6:03 remaining in the first half (27-25). 
• California out-rebounded GWU 50-39

• Halftime: Cal 41, GWU 34
• Attendance: 1,014

PLAYER NOTES
Hind Ben Abdelkader • Freshman • Guard
• Scored a career-high (4) points in the game.

Brittany Boyd • Junior • Guard
• Had her eighth career double-double with (17) points and (11) rebounds. 
• Pulled down a season-high (11) rebounds. 
• Matched her season-high with (1) steal in the contest. 
• Had her first block of the season in the second half.

Gennifer Brandon • Senior • Forward
• Did not play (illness)

Reshanda Gray • Junior • Forward
• Scored a new career-high with (24) points in the game. 
• Began the game shooting 6-of-6 from the field and 1-of-1 from the FT line for 13 points.

Justine Hartman • Junior • Forward
• Did not play Friday due to concussion-like symptoms.

Mercedes Jefflo • Freshman • Guard
• Matched her career-high with (2) rebounds in the game. 
• Matched a career-high with (1) block.

Afure Jemerigbe • Senior • Guard
• Set a new career-high with (6) assists
• Had a season-high (2) steals in the game.

Mikayla Lyles • Senior • Guard
• Registered her first steal of the season in the contest.

Courtney Range • Freshman • Guard/Forward
• Earned her first career start.
• Registered her first career steal in the first half. 
• Had a career-high with (3) blocked shots 
• Has hit double-digit rebounding in every game, pulling down (14) boards Friday, matching her career-high