Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Baylor on October 10, 2025 at 2 p.m. (MST)
M Basketball
2 p.m. (MST)
at Baylor
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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, November 22
Salt Lake City, UT
4 p.m.
Grand Canyon
2-3
72
vs
71
Savannah State
2-5
1
2
F
Savannah State
25
46
71
Grand Canyon
34
38
72
Larson sets for the game winner.
Photo by: Darryl Webb
Larson Propels 'Lopes over Savannah State
11/22/2013 7:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Hits two free throws with 1.7 left
Killian Larson sank two free throws with 1.7 seconds left to give Grand Canyon a 72-71 victory over Savannah State today at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The win improves GCU to 2-3, while the Tigers fall to 2-5.
"I'm ecstatic," said head coach Dan Majerle. "To play that well in the first half and then falter like we did in the second half, it was good to see our guys not get down and fight back. I'm happy for the guys and proud of them. We needed that."
The win was the first for GCU over a Division I opponent in its first year of transition from Division II.
The game featured 14 lead changes, but was one that was seemingly in the win column for the Antelopes early. GCU controlled the action and led 34-25 at the half. A basket by Jerome Garrison and a three-pointer from Akachi Okugo gave Canyon its largest lead of the game, 39-25, just a minute into the second half.
The Tigers then ratcheted up the pressure and went on a furious 27-8 run that gave them a 52-47 advantage with 8:32 remaining.
Trailing 64-60, Garrison sank a pair of free throws and Blake Davis knocked down a triple to put GCU up by one.
The Tigers' Keierre Richards hit a fade away jumper that made the score 69-67 Savannah State with 58 ticks on the clock. Garrison, who scored 16 of his 19 in the second half and 14 over the last eight minutes, buried a three from the right corner to put the 'Lopes back in front. Deven Williams' driving layup put the Tigers up by one with 17 seconds left and set the stage for Larson.
On the final possession, Garrison drove the lane and looked to draw contact and lost control of the ball, shoveling it towards Larson who recovered the ball and was fouled on his layup attempt.
"This one is really big, I will never forget this one," said Garrison on the win. "We wanted this win so bad after putting together what we felt was an embarrassing effort last night. Our mindset was to fight tonight and we didn't want to lose this one. Everyone's excited and we are figuring out what it takes to win these types of games."
Davis had a great second half for GCU, scoring all of his 13 points and sinking three critical three-pointers.
Larson finished with his third double-double of the season with 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Justin Foreman had a season-high 10 points, nine of which came in the second half.
"We will enjoy this tonight and be ready to come back to fight tomorrow," added Majerle on playing a third game in three days. "These guys are young and they are used to playing basketball every day. Hopefully they will carry over a lot of good feelings and momentum into our game tomorrow."
GCU held a 41-29 advantage on the glass and shot a blistering 46.7% (7-for-15) from behind the arc.
Grand Canyon will return to action tomorrow when they will face Lamar at 2 p.m. in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Lamar defeated Savannah State yesterday, 75-66, and plays Utah later this evening. Tomorrow's can be heard live on KPXQ 1360 AM in Phoenix or online at www.faithtalk1360.com. The Antelopes return home for a game against San Diego Christian on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. in GCU Arena. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.gcuarena.com or by calling the box office at 602.639.8999. The Antelopes have gone 31-2 at home since the arena opened prior to the 2011-12 campaign.
GCU 72 SSU 71
Michael Potter's postgame interview with GCU assistant coach Mark Nelson
The win improves GCU to 2-3, while the Tigers fall to 2-5.
"I'm ecstatic," said head coach Dan Majerle. "To play that well in the first half and then falter like we did in the second half, it was good to see our guys not get down and fight back. I'm happy for the guys and proud of them. We needed that."
The win was the first for GCU over a Division I opponent in its first year of transition from Division II.
The game featured 14 lead changes, but was one that was seemingly in the win column for the Antelopes early. GCU controlled the action and led 34-25 at the half. A basket by Jerome Garrison and a three-pointer from Akachi Okugo gave Canyon its largest lead of the game, 39-25, just a minute into the second half.
The Tigers then ratcheted up the pressure and went on a furious 27-8 run that gave them a 52-47 advantage with 8:32 remaining.
Trailing 64-60, Garrison sank a pair of free throws and Blake Davis knocked down a triple to put GCU up by one.
The Tigers' Keierre Richards hit a fade away jumper that made the score 69-67 Savannah State with 58 ticks on the clock. Garrison, who scored 16 of his 19 in the second half and 14 over the last eight minutes, buried a three from the right corner to put the 'Lopes back in front. Deven Williams' driving layup put the Tigers up by one with 17 seconds left and set the stage for Larson.
On the final possession, Garrison drove the lane and looked to draw contact and lost control of the ball, shoveling it towards Larson who recovered the ball and was fouled on his layup attempt.
"This one is really big, I will never forget this one," said Garrison on the win. "We wanted this win so bad after putting together what we felt was an embarrassing effort last night. Our mindset was to fight tonight and we didn't want to lose this one. Everyone's excited and we are figuring out what it takes to win these types of games."
Davis had a great second half for GCU, scoring all of his 13 points and sinking three critical three-pointers.
Larson finished with his third double-double of the season with 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Justin Foreman had a season-high 10 points, nine of which came in the second half.
"We will enjoy this tonight and be ready to come back to fight tomorrow," added Majerle on playing a third game in three days. "These guys are young and they are used to playing basketball every day. Hopefully they will carry over a lot of good feelings and momentum into our game tomorrow."
GCU held a 41-29 advantage on the glass and shot a blistering 46.7% (7-for-15) from behind the arc.
Grand Canyon will return to action tomorrow when they will face Lamar at 2 p.m. in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Lamar defeated Savannah State yesterday, 75-66, and plays Utah later this evening. Tomorrow's can be heard live on KPXQ 1360 AM in Phoenix or online at www.faithtalk1360.com. The Antelopes return home for a game against San Diego Christian on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. in GCU Arena. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.gcuarena.com or by calling the box office at 602.639.8999. The Antelopes have gone 31-2 at home since the arena opened prior to the 2011-12 campaign.
GCU 72 SSU 71
Michael Potter's postgame interview with GCU assistant coach Mark Nelson
Team Stats
SSU
GCU
FG%
.474
.415
3FG%
.400
.467
FT%
.733
.724
RB
29
41
TO
10
13
STL
4
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
5
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