GCU Falls in OT to Chaminade

Monday, January 30

Honolulu, HI

10:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Chaminade

Morin scored a career-best 16 tonight.

1/31/2012 12:02:00 AM | Men's Basketball

The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team dropped a hard fought 69-66 decision to Chaminade in overtime tonight at McCabe Gymnasium in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

The loss drops the Antelopes to 10-7 overall, 4-5 in the Pacific West Conference. Chaminade improved to 9-6, 7-1 in the league.

The game was a see-saw affair that saw 14 lead changes and 10 ties.

Grand Canyon had the opportunity to win the game in regulation, but Jerome Garrison’s off-balance jumper at the buzzer missed to send the contest to overtime.

Chaminade scored the first four points in the extra session to grab a 65-61 advantage. Braylon Pickrel’s put back from a Kyle Speed miss brought the ‘Lopes within two. Pickrel was later fouled and made one-of-two from the line to cut the lead to 65-64 with 2:41 remaining.

The Silverswords’ Bennie Murray scored on a driving layup to put Chaminade up 67-64 with 1:55 left. GCU had held on the defensive end of the possession, but an offensive rebound by the Silverswords led to the second chance bucket. GCU was hurt on the boards throughout the night, being outrebounded 44-30.

Pickrel would score his fifth point of the overtime to once again cut the lead to one, this time with 1:38 remaining.

After two Chaminade free throws put them up 69-66, the ‘Lopes had the opportunity for one final play to send the game into a second overtime. GCU worked the ball around the perimeter, but Nick Witherill’s three was off the mark, sending Grand Canyon to their sixth-straight road loss this season and 10th-straight overall.

Steve Morin led GCU with a career-best 16 points, including 13 in the first half when he hit four straight treys in just over a three minute span. Morin’s run helped the Antelopes turn a 20-11 deficit midway through the first half into a 35-30 lead at intermission.

Garrison scored 11 points tonight, while Justin Wesolowski added 10. Blake Davis led the Antelopes on the glass with six rebounds.

GCU shot 35 percent for the game, compared to 43 for the Silverswords. The Antelopes committed only 12 turnovers during the game, while forcing 19.

Grand Canyon’s trip in the islands continues with a game on Feb. 1 against Hawai’i Pacific in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. (Arizona time). The Antelopes will complete their four-game set with a trip to the Big Island and a game against Hawai'i Hilo on Feb. 4. Tipoff in Hilo is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (Arizone time).

CU 69 GCU 66 (OT)