GCU Loses to Western Washington for Third Time This Season

Saturday, December 5

GCU

Grand Canyon

WEST. WASHINGTON

GCU Loses to Western Washington for Third Time This Season

12/5/2009 10:46:56 PM | Men's Basketball

Grand Canyon University lost to Western Washington University, 67-50, tonight at Antelope Gymnasium. It marked the third time this season that the Antelopes have lost to the Vikings. They lost, 94-70, in their season opener at Disney's Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif. on Oct. 30. They lost again, 70-55, at the 11th WWU Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Men's Basketball Classic in Bellingham, Wash. on Nov. 28.

Tonight's game was not unlike the previous two defeats.

Western Washington shot 66.7 percent (14-of-21) in the first half, including 83.3 percent (5-of-6) on three pointers, and led at halftime, 35-27. GCU shot just 39.1 percent (9-of-23), and 20 percent (1-of-5) from behind the three-point arc.

The Vikings shot 52.4 percent (11-of-21) in the second half, compared to 33.3 percent (8-of-24) for the 'Lopes, who missed all eight three pointers.

GCU actually outrebounded the Vikings, 29-27, in the game, but had 17 turnovers. Western Washington didn't fare much better in the turnover department, committing 16 of its own. Both teams were miserable from the free-throw line. The 'Lopes made just 15-of-26 (57.7 percent), while the Vikings were 11-of-21 (52.4 percent).

But the most telling statistic in the game was this: GCU, a team that has relied heavily on three-point shooting all season, made just 1-of-13 treys.

The 'Lopes (3-8) were led in scoring by the Cameroonians, junior forward Rony Tchatchoua (pictured, Little Rock, AR/Christian) with 14 points and junior center Gaby Ngoundjo (Little Rock, AR/Christian) with 12. Three Vikings scored in double figures: forward Derrick Webb, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds against GCU last Saturday, 15; forward Zach Bruce, who had 19 points and eight rebounds last week, 14; and guard Andrew Ready, 11.

GCU's next games are at the Glacier Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. The 'Lopes play Alaska-Anchorage at 6:30 p.m. Arizona time on Friday and face host Alaska-Fairbanks at 4 p.m. Arizona time on Saturday.

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