GCU Returns to the Court to Face Arizona Christian

The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team returns to the court to face Arizona Christian tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena. Fans attending the game are invited to attend a fireworks display immediately following the game on the lawn just outside of the Arena.

VS. ARIZONA CHRISTIAN: GCU leads the all-time series, 7-0. The two met on this same date a year ago, with the Antelopes winning 93-66. ACU is 2-11 to begin the season. The two have one common opponent, as each played The Master’s College this season. GCU defeated the Mustangs, 77-70, on Nov. 16 in Phoenix. ACU fell to the Mustangs, 63-40, on Nov. 11 in Santa Clarita, Calif.

HOME SWEET HOME: GCU is wrapping up a stretch in which they have played eight straight home games. GCU will hit the road on Jan. 3, when it plays at Dominican. The ‘Lopes have averaged 1,967 fans this year in the new GCU Arena, compared to 1,175 last season in Antelope Gymnasium.

LAST TIME OUT: Grand Canyon defeated Cal State San Bernardino, 66-49, on Dec. 17 at GCU Arena. The Antelopes dominated the first half, leading the Coyotes 34-11 at the break. Nick Witherill led the Antelopes with 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including 4-for-5 from the 3-point arc. GCU held the Coyotes to 29.1% shooting for the game.

RUNNING THE FLOOR: GCU is averaging 71.4 points per game this season, tops in the PacWest Conference. They are shooting 35 percent from the 3-point arc, second-best among PacWest schools. GCU has pulled down an average of 37.0 rebounds per game, third-best in the league.

THE SENIORS: Grand Canyon enters the 2011-12 campaign with three seniors on the roster. Nick Witherill has averaged 10.6 points-per-game this season. He recorded a career-best seven assists, along with 20 points on Nov. 26 vs. Ft. Lewis. Justin Wesolowski leads the team with a 6.8 rebounding average, sixth-best in the PacWest. He pulled down a career-best 14 rebounds on Nov. 16 vs. The Master’s College.

SPEED SPEAK: Senior Kyle Speed has scored in double-digits in six of his seven games played this season. Speed led the team in scoring in three of those games. His 13.3 points-per-game ranks eighth in the PacWest. Despite missing a game earlier this month due to injury, Speed leads the team with 220 minutes played for a 31.4 per-game average.

THIS AND THAT: Grand Canyon has been aggressive on defense this season, averaging 7.9 steals and 3.9 blocks per game. Both are the second-most in the conference. GCU is first in turnover margin at a +1.25 per game. They are second in assist to turnover ratio at +0.9.

UP NEXT: It will be conference games for the remainder of the season for the Antelopes. Grand Canyon will be on the road for three of their next four games, starting with a Jan. 3 contest at Dominican. They will then travel to play at Notre Dame de Namur on Jan. 5. GCU defeated NDNU in both team’s conference opener on Dec. 3 in Phoenix, 76-66. Both games are slated to begin at 8:30 p.m. (AZ Time).

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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