'Lopes Get Back on Winning Track

Thursday, February 10

GCU

7:15 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Academy of Art

Fletcher Wynn (5) had a game-high, along with teammate Brad Carroll, three assists in Thursday's 76-62 win over Academy of Art.

2/10/2011 10:04:30 PM | Men's Basketball

Hot-shooting Morin, Witherill lead GCU to win

By: Steve Heath

Grand Canyon got back on the winning track and avenged an earlier loss with a 76-62 win over Academy of Art at Antelope Gymnasium Thursday.

GCU (11-7, 6-2) lost last Saturday to Dixie State and was defeated 60-58 in San Francisco Jan. 20.

“I saw it Monday at practice, the guys came back with a really good focus,” said second-year GCU coach Russ Pennell. “I saw a renewed vigor about them in practice leading up to tonight’s game and I’m pleased with the way they responded after a disappointing loss.”

With the score tied 22-22 with less than four minutes remaining in the first half, sophomore guard Steven Morin got the hot hand, scoring all 11 of his first half points. Morin went 4-of-4 from the field, including three 3-pointers to lead GCU to a 37-27 halftime lead.

Academy of Art scored the first eight points of the second half and cut the margin to 39-37 before GCU went on a 21-2 run.

Morin wasn’t the only ‘Lope with the shooting eye, Nick Witherill finished with a team-high 18 points. He hit 7-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

“Nick did a great job on the offensive end and a better job on the defensive end,” Pennell said. “He’s such a competitor. He gets that look in his eye and he gets under the other team’s skin a bit. He played well on both ends of the floor. He took good shots and was a big part of tonight’s success.”

Morin finished with 14 points, tying his career high. He was 5-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from 3-point range. Rony Tchatchoua chipped in 12 points. Gaby Ngoundjo had a game-high eight rebounds. Fletcher Wynn and Brad Carroll had game-highs in assists with three.

“This was a big win. We should credit our preparation for it because we worked hard in practice all week,” said Morin.

The game marks the halfway point in the Pacific West Conference season. At 6-2, GCU has four games left at home and four more on the road. The Antelopes are in a three-way tie for second place with Dixie State and Chaminade. BYU-Hawai’i leads the league with a 7-1 mark.

“It’s big to win on your homecourt and especially to get a team that beat us in San Francisco,” said Witherill. “We came in with a little extra desire to get them and we went out and did it.”

Academy of Art dropped to 5-16 overall and 2-9 in the conference. GCU will play Dominican (3-18, 3-8) at Antelope Gymnasium Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

Box Score