Grand Canyon wins home opener in double overtime

Monday, November 20

Phoenix, Ariz.

Grand Canyon

UC San Diego

11/20/2006 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Bryan Lee Collects Double-Double in Win

By: Cory Hitchcock

Phoenix, AZ—Grand Canyon University (1-1) found a way to win as they beat UC San Diego in double overtime by a score of 64-62 to win their home opener this evening in the Antelope Gymnasium. The 'Lopes were led by Bryan Lee (Sr/Antioch, CA/Deer Valley HS) with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 8 blocks to earn his first double-double of the year.

With both teams starting out slow on offense, the 'Lopes would take their first lead of the game 10-8 at the 11:00 minute mark. Grand Canyon would hold the lead until Brett Stuckey put the Tritons ahead 18-17 with a lay-up with 4:03 remaining. UC San Diego would go into the half up 21-18. In the second half, the Tritons had a seven point lead with 14:11 remaining but the 'Lopes would fight their way back and tie the game when Lee connected on two free throws at the 5:32 mark. The 'Lopes took the lead when Mike Grothaus (Sr/Gilbert, AZ/Jamestown College) buried a 3-pointer with 1:13 remaining to put the 'Lopes ahead 47-45. Clint Allard tied the game with a lay-up with 44 seconds left. With the clock running down, Richard Davis (Sr/Glendale, AZ/Glendale CC) drilled a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to put the 'Lopes ahead 50-47. The Tritons ran down the clock and Allard hit an off balance 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, Grand Canyon would jump out to a quick four point lead but that wouldn't be enough as UC San Diego would take the lead 55-54 on a Robby Peters lay-up with 14 seconds left. Grothaus ended up on the line when a Triton defender fouled him as he drove to the basket with 5 seconds left. Grothaus would only connect on his second free throw to tie the game 55-55 and force a second overtime.

UC San Diego had the lead for most of the second overtime but Shansan Chambers (Jr/Phoenix, AZ/Monterey Peninsula) found his way to the basket for a lay-up and was fouled on the play. Chambers would sink the free throw and give the 'Lopes the 63-62 lead. UC San Diego tried to force the ball in play and turned it over giving the 'Lopes the ball under their basket. The Tritons then fouled Lee and he sealed the game hitting his second free throw to give the 'Lopes the victory.

Davis finished the game with 11 points and 7 rebounds while Ladi Makinde (Jr/Phoenix, AZ/Scottsdale CC) finished with 12 points.

The Tritons were led by Allard with 20 points and Darryl Lawlor with 11 points.

The 'Lopes are back in action on Friday November 24 when they travel to Bellingham, Washington to face Saint Martin's College in the WWU Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic. Tip is scheduled for 3:00 PM.