Playing for pride: Lopes close season at Dixie St.

With an end in sight, the biggest incentive is pride. Maybe a chance to knock the opponent out of postseason contention.

When Grand Canyon tips off at Dixie State at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the first of back-to-back road contests in St. George, Utah, it will signal the beginning of the end. An end to a season that began with as late a start as any team in the country, what with GCU coach Dan Nichols not hired until mid-July and only two players in place.

Thursday and Friday's games can be seen on B2 Networks Internet broadcast. Visit http://b2tv.com/partner_members.asp?id=78.

Grand Canyon enters the final two games of this two-day series with a 13-12 overall, 5-6 league record. Only Thursday's game will count for league purposes. One win on either night ensures a winning season. A win Thursday will guarantee the Antelopes a .500 record in the Pacific West Conference.

"For a first-year coach and a team that was just put together late in the summer, that's pretty good," senior guard Milee Karre said.

But playing in St. George, where Dixie State is 9-2 this season, hasn't been kind to many opponents. The Red Storm (14-11, 7-4) has been the beneficiary of a lot of home cookin.

"Dixie, they're a tough team, but they're good guys," said Karre, who leads the league in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.67 per game. "It's just a pride factor to end the season on a good note. For me, it's a chance to end my career on a good note."

Karre concedes that playing at Dixie State is no easy task, calling the Red Storm's home venue "a tough environment." But he adds that there is a lot GCU can take from beating Dixie in St. George. For one, the Antelopes are 1-5 all-time against the Red Storm.

"We have some payback to even the series up a little bit," Karre said. "We really want to end strong. For the guys coming back, it's good to end on a good note to get ready for next year. It always helps to end strong.

"Everyone on the team still wants to win. We're all competitors."

Grand Canyon was picked to finish sixth in the conference. The Antelopes will finish fifth regardless of what happens in St. George.

But on a personal level, GCU's players have something to play for. Senior center Engen Nurumbi leads the conference in blocked shots. Senior guard Brandon Dempster is expected to make his return after sitting out the last game. PacWest postseason honors are at stake.

For Karre, the opportunity to finish his career leading the conference in one or two categories carries special meaning. He is third in the league in free throw shooting percentage. Last season, he told teammates he didn't want to take chances turning the ball over. His league-leading assist-to-turnover ratio is a testament to that.

"I just try to play smart," Karre said. "I'm not into the flashy play. I've taken some pride in not turning the ball over. These two games I'm going to try to get everybody involved. As long as I get to the line, I feel confident I'm going to make 'em."

Karre is one of four seniors playing in their final collegiate games. Guard Shansan Chambers, who's averaged 11.7 points in the last six games, will also end his career in Antelopes purple and black. Karre is one of 27 players in GCU history to play four years at the school on Camelback and 33rd Avenue.

"I just want to thank the coaches that have coached me here, Coach (Scott) Mossman and Coach Nichols," Karre said. "All the teachers and people around school, I couldn't have done it without them. I appreciate all the people that gave me a chance."

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Grand Canyon University Athletics

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