The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team fell to visiting The Master’s College, 63-58, tonight at GCU Arena in their final exhibition contest of the 2012-13 season.
GCU was led by
Braylon Pickrel with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while
Joshua Lowery added 12 points and
Jerome Garrison chipped in with 11.
The Antelopes shot 32 percent from the field for the game (20-for-63) and made just two of their attempted 28 three pointers (seven percent). The Mustangs shot 33 percent (18-for-55), including a 31 percent mark from behind the arc (5-for-16).
Grand Canyon took a 23-21 lead into the locker room despite shooting just 25 percent from the field (8-for-32). Pickrel was the high-scorer for both teams with 12 points at the half.
The ‘Lopes found themselves trying to catch the Mustangs for most of the second half and trailed by as many as 12 points in the final 20 minutes. The ‘Lopes closed the gap to five points with 37.3 seconds remaining before The Master’s College drained one of two free throws and were given the ball via a flagrant foul to extend their lead to 58-52 with 29 seconds to play.
GCU pulled within three points on two occasions, but the Mustangs were able to hold onto the lead when the final horn rang. The ‘Lopes were 0-for-13 from the three point line in the second half, whereas the Mustangs drained four three pointers.
GCU will open regular season play as part of the Disney Classic this Friday through Sunday in Anaheim, Calif. The ‘Lopes are slated to take on No. 11 Winona State on Friday at 12:15 p.m. (Arizona time). Fans can follow the action live at
www.gculopes.com.
Click
here for postgame reaction from head coach Russ Pennell.
Click
here for postgame reaction from senior Braylon Pickrel.
TMC 63, GCU 58