Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Wyoming on December 20, 2025 , Win , 82, to, 70
M Basketball
at Wyoming
W 82-70
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Wednesday, January 11
GCU Arena
6:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon
81
vs
54
Dominican
Justin Wesolowski posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
GCU Evens Conference Record With 81-54 Win Over Dominican
1/11/2012 7:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team used a stifling defensive effort tonight to snap their two-game losing streak, defeating Dominican 81-54, at Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix.
GCU improves to 8-4 overall, 2-2 in the Pacific West Conference. The Penguins fall to 3-12, 2-2 in the PacWest.
“I was very proud of our effort coming off two very tough losses,” said head coach Russ Pennell. “I thought we started slow. I kind of expected to have a bit of a hangover after last weekend, with the guys trying a bit too hard. Midway through the first half our defense really locked in and that was the key to our game tonight.”
The Antelopes used a 25-10 run over the final 10 minutes of the first half to go into the break with a 38-29 lead. They used an 18-0 run in the second half to down the Penguins, who had beaten them eight days ago in San Rafael, Calif.
“We didn’t worry about the offensive end so much, but instead tried to focus on the defensive end,” said senior Kyle Speed. “We know if we defend every night we can play with anybody in our conference. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but we know we underachieved last week. Not to take anything away from those teams that beat us. They played their game. But for us, it was a wakeup call for us to pick it up on defense.”
The defense was clearly evident as the ‘Lopes recorded a season-high 12 steals and 11 blocks, while forcing 18 turnovers.
Justin Wesolowski and Braylon Pickrel dominated the game inside from the opening tip. Wesolowski recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Pickrel added 10 points with eight rebounds and five blocked shots.
“They really felt like they got their tales kicked in at Dominican and we have been talking quite a bit about that this week,” said Pennell. “I’m sure they got tired of hearing it. They came out tonight and set the tone for the game. When those two guys are playing like that on the interior it makes us really good. Any good basketball team must start inside. I was really proud of those guys.”
“Those guys are tough,” added Speed. “Any time the bigs are going like they were tonight, it opens it up for us guards to knock down some shots.”
Knock them down they did. Speed finished the night with 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Jerome Garrison, making his second career start, finished with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting. Nick Witherill came off the bench to add 11.
The game’s opening had the familiar feel to last week’s loss in San Rafael, as the Penguins opened leads of 17-10 and 19-13 in the opening 10 minutes. GCU’s defensive effort then shut down the visitors, holding them scoreless for nearly seven minutes. The Antelopes grabbed their first lead at 21-20 on a Blake Davis basket with 8:41 remaining and would never relinquish the advantage.
The ‘Lopes will next be in action on Jan. 16, when they will face Dixie State at the always tough Burns Arena in St. George, Utah.
“We need to defend and be tough minded going into Dixie,” said Speed. “They are an incredibly tough team. They come at you and never back down. We need to take this defense we played tonight and bring that same effort on the road.”
Dixie State, an NCAA tourney team a year ago, currently sits 3-1 in the PacWest, 8-4 overall.
“We have history there that we can win in Dixie,” added Pennell. “It won’t help us this year, but at least we know it can be done. We need to duplicate what we did defensively tonight to give us a shot. I doubt many people are giving us a puncher’s chance going in, except us. We are going to go in there and play hard and try to squeeze one out again.”
The game will be the first in a stretch that will see Grand Canyon play six of their next eight games on the road.
GCU 81, DOM 54
GCU improves to 8-4 overall, 2-2 in the Pacific West Conference. The Penguins fall to 3-12, 2-2 in the PacWest.
“I was very proud of our effort coming off two very tough losses,” said head coach Russ Pennell. “I thought we started slow. I kind of expected to have a bit of a hangover after last weekend, with the guys trying a bit too hard. Midway through the first half our defense really locked in and that was the key to our game tonight.”
The Antelopes used a 25-10 run over the final 10 minutes of the first half to go into the break with a 38-29 lead. They used an 18-0 run in the second half to down the Penguins, who had beaten them eight days ago in San Rafael, Calif.
“We didn’t worry about the offensive end so much, but instead tried to focus on the defensive end,” said senior Kyle Speed. “We know if we defend every night we can play with anybody in our conference. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but we know we underachieved last week. Not to take anything away from those teams that beat us. They played their game. But for us, it was a wakeup call for us to pick it up on defense.”
The defense was clearly evident as the ‘Lopes recorded a season-high 12 steals and 11 blocks, while forcing 18 turnovers.
Justin Wesolowski and Braylon Pickrel dominated the game inside from the opening tip. Wesolowski recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Pickrel added 10 points with eight rebounds and five blocked shots.
“They really felt like they got their tales kicked in at Dominican and we have been talking quite a bit about that this week,” said Pennell. “I’m sure they got tired of hearing it. They came out tonight and set the tone for the game. When those two guys are playing like that on the interior it makes us really good. Any good basketball team must start inside. I was really proud of those guys.”
“Those guys are tough,” added Speed. “Any time the bigs are going like they were tonight, it opens it up for us guards to knock down some shots.”
Knock them down they did. Speed finished the night with 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Jerome Garrison, making his second career start, finished with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting. Nick Witherill came off the bench to add 11.
The game’s opening had the familiar feel to last week’s loss in San Rafael, as the Penguins opened leads of 17-10 and 19-13 in the opening 10 minutes. GCU’s defensive effort then shut down the visitors, holding them scoreless for nearly seven minutes. The Antelopes grabbed their first lead at 21-20 on a Blake Davis basket with 8:41 remaining and would never relinquish the advantage.
The ‘Lopes will next be in action on Jan. 16, when they will face Dixie State at the always tough Burns Arena in St. George, Utah.
“We need to defend and be tough minded going into Dixie,” said Speed. “They are an incredibly tough team. They come at you and never back down. We need to take this defense we played tonight and bring that same effort on the road.”
Dixie State, an NCAA tourney team a year ago, currently sits 3-1 in the PacWest, 8-4 overall.
“We have history there that we can win in Dixie,” added Pennell. “It won’t help us this year, but at least we know it can be done. We need to duplicate what we did defensively tonight to give us a shot. I doubt many people are giving us a puncher’s chance going in, except us. We are going to go in there and play hard and try to squeeze one out again.”
The game will be the first in a stretch that will see Grand Canyon play six of their next eight games on the road.
GCU 81, DOM 54
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