Morin's trey gives GCU first-ever win at Dixie

Saturday, January 8

St. George, UT

7:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dixie State

Steve Morin hit the game-winning shot to give GCU its first win at Dixie State.

1/8/2011 9:45:22 PM | Men's Basketball

Tchatchoua scores 17 off the bench

By: Steve Heath

Grand Canyon sophomore Steven Morin (Scottsdale, Ariz., Saguaro) hit a 3-pointer with five seconds remaining to give GCU a 71-68 victory over Dixie State in its Pacific West Conference opener at Burns Arena in St. George, Utah Saturday.

For Grand Canyon (6-5, 1-0), it was the program’s first-ever win at Dixie State -- in six tries -- and it was the Red Storm’s first loss at home since the 2008-09 season.

“I saw Kyle Speed (Seattle, Wash., Lake Washington, Johnson County CC) coming down through the lane, and we work on this drill every day,” said Morin. “The point guard drives and we spot up.”

Speed found Morin on the right side and his jumper hit nothing but net. Dixie State got off a desperation shot that wouldn’t fall.

“It definitely feels good to get that weight off our shoulders and to be 1-0 in the PacWest,” added Morin.

Dixie State drops to 7-4 overall and 0-1 in the PacWest.

GCU hit 9-of-16 from 3-point range and shot 52.1 percent on all field goals against a Dixie team that came in leading the conference in field goal defense at 36.1 percent.

Rony Tchatchoua (Douala, Cameroon, Little Rock Christian, New Hampshire), who led GCU with 17 points off the bench, scored on a short jumper in the lane to give the ‘Lopes a 64-63 lead at the 1:16 mark. After a steal by Justin Wesolowski (Mesa, Ariz., Mountain View, Northern Colorado), Tchatchoua scored on a lay-in for a three-point advantage, 66-63, with just 50.2 to go.

Two Speed free throws gave Grand Canyon a 68-64 lead with only 21.8 remaining, but the Red Storm scored on a drive by Jeremiah Barnes, who was fouled. Barnes missed the free throw, but Dixie got the rebound. Solomon Jensen drew a foul and hit both free throws to tie the game.

“Dixie is an unbelievable basketball team and it’s hard to come in here and win a game,” said Grand Canyon coach Russ Pennell. “We knew they’d come out and make plays to get back in the game.

“The thing I’m proudest of is our guys’ resolve. We regained our composure and got back in the game.”

GCU led by 13, 34-21, in the first half and nine, 35-26, at the break. Dixie State rallied to start the final 20 minutes and less than three minutes in had taken a 36-35 lead.

Dixie State led by as much as five points, 49-44, with less than 12 minutes left to play.

Nick Witherill (Phoenix, Ariz., Highland, Washington State) scored 14, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Morin had nine on 3-of-5 treys.

“Steve’s a gunslinger and he’s never afraid to take the big shot,” added Pennell. “The thing I’m most proud of, he was struggling on defense and I challenged him a couple of times. He didn’t sit there and pout. He waited on his opportunity and made it count at the end.”

Fletcher Wynn (Orlando, Fla., Apopka, Louisburg College) added eight points and Speed finished with seven and had his fourth straight game without a turnover. Tchatchoua led GCU rebounders with six. Witherill added three steals.

Tom Whitehead topped Dixie scorers with 23.

Grand Canyon is off until a Jan. 18 game at Notre Dame de Namur.

Box Score