PacWest Play Begins at Dixie State

After a 10-game non-conference schedule that included nationally-ranked opponents, defending Final Four participants and a Division-I foe, Grand Canyon begins Pacific West Conference play Saturday at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah.

“Everything we did in the preseason was geared to get us ready for PacWest competition,” said GCU coach Russ Pennell. “Our goal is to win the PacWest and it starts at Dixie. That’s a tall task. They’re traditionally very good at home.”

GCU played nationally-ranked Central Washington, St. Cloud State and Seattle Pacific (twice) in the non-conference and beat St. Cloud State – a Final Four team last year – at home in November. The ‘Lopes opened the season against D-I Utah.

Finishing with a three-game winning streak, GCU takes a 5-5 record into St. George, where the home team plays for the first time in 28 days. Dixie State is 7-3 overall.

Grand Canyon knows by experience how tough it is to win in the 5,000-seat Burns Arena. The Antelopes have never won in St. George, taking a 0-5 record into Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. contest.

“I think we’re battled-tested enough to give ourselves a chance in this game,” added Pennell.

The teams split games last season. Led by five double-figure scorers, GCU beat the Red Storm 82-80 in Phoenix on Jan. 30, 2010. At Dixie, the ‘Lopes were defeated 78-68.

Dixie State is the defending co-champions of the conference and an NCAA West Region participant a year ago. GCU was picked to finish second in this season’s conference race. The Red Storm was picked fourth.

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