Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes snag 4th win in 5 tries to open league play
1/2/2009 10:45:45 PM | Men's Basketball
BELMONT, Calif. -- Grand Canyon won its fourth game in its past five to move above .500 for the first time this season following a 67-56 win at Notre Dame de Namur in the PacWest opener.
GCU (6-5, 1-0) led by nine early in the first half before the Argonauts cut it to three. Brandon Dempster's two quick buckets, one a triple, moved the Lopes back ahead six, but NDNU cut it to 29-26 at half.
Dave Cuen followed up a 26-point game in his last floor appearance with 22 points and nine boards Friday. Engen Nurumbi had 17 points and six rebounds, and Brandon McGruder (pictured) added 11 for the Antelopes, who will play NDNU in a non-conference game Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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GCU coach Dan Nichols witnessed a transformation in his club, even on a night when the numbers weren't necessarily in the Lopes' favor.
"We've improved a lot since the beginning of the season," Nichols said. "But to win consistently, you need to get consistent numbers from your main players. That's what we're focusing on. We want to put .500 in the rearview mirror and make our record as good as possible."
Grand Canyon was outrebounded 38-30, but the Lopes big men of Michael Golleher, Cuen and Nurumbi pulled down 19 of the boards in a better job on the glass from the interior post positions.
"Michael Golleher did a nice job on the boards, and I thought McGruder gave us a lift," Nichols said. "The shots they took were not easy shots. What we were doing defensively ... I would think they will make some adjustments tomorrow. It's just a matter of us coming out with more energy and being determined."
The Argos picked up a double-double from Dan Bergeron, who had 13 points and 11 boards. Deon Sharps had 14 points.
"They were better than I thought they were," Nichols said. "They played a spirited game in front of a nice crowd. They surprised us, and I think they surprised our guys a little."
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