GCU jumps out early; beats UMD 72-54

Friday, November 19

GCU

7:15 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Minnesota-Duluth

GCU freshman Chris Johnson (4) had 13 points, three rebounds and two assists in his home debut at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.

11/19/2010 10:20:51 PM | Men's Basketball

Balanced attack leads the way

By: Steve Heath

Grand Canyon led by as much as 26, and went on to a 72-54 victory over Minnesota-Duluth in the home opener in the GCU Tip-Off Classic at Antelope Gymnasium Friday.

In the first half, Grand Canyon (1-1) shot 61.5 percent, had 12 assists on 16 made field goals, nine players with at least one field goal and five players with five points or more. The team effort led to a 43-22 halftime lead.

“One of the trademarks of this team is depth,” said coach Russ Pennell. “We have a lot of good players with special abilities. I thought everyone contributed and it was a total team effort."

Junior guard Fletcher Wynn (Orlando, Fla., Apopka, Louisburg College) led the way with 14 points. Freshman Chris Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz., Highland) had 13. Seven players had six points or more. Nine players had at least three rebounds. Grand Canyon out-rebounded UMD 45-28.

The ‘Lopes hit five of their first six shots and were at a 70 percent clip (14-of-20) with a 37-20 lead with 3:25 left until the half.

“We came out and played well on defense,” said junior guard Nick Witherill (Phoenix, Ariz., Highland, Washington State), who finished with nine points and three rebounds. “If we come out like that every night, that’ll be huge.

"Our bench came in and played strong and they can do that because we have so much depth.”

Senior Gaby Ngoundjo (Douala, Cameroon, Little Rock Christian, Charlotte) had seven points and team highs in rebounds (seven) and blocks (four). Junior Kyle Speed (Seattle, Wash., Lake Washington, Johnson County CC) and sophomore Brad Carroll (Chandler, Ariz., Corona del Sol, Milwaukee) shared top honors in assists with four each. Speed also had two steals, six points and five rebounds. Carroll had eight points and five boards.

UMD (1-1) made a second-half run and cut the GCU lead to 14, 54-40, with 9:54 left. Grand Canyon answered with the next six points. Sophomore forward Braylon Pickrel (Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain, Mesa CC) tipped in a miss and Wynn followed with a pair of buckets to spread the lead back to 20, 60-40, at the 8:09 mark.

“I think one of the biggest keys in tonight’s game was coming out from the tip ready to go,” added Pennell. “That had been a little issue during the preseason, but we set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Grand Canyon will welcome nationally-ranked St. Cloud State for a 7:15 p.m. contest Saturday at Antelope Gymnasium. St. Cloud, a Final Four team last season, is ranked in the top 10 in three different preseason polls, and as high as No. 3 (Division II Bulletin).

Box Score