GCU Falls in Dr. Pepper Classic Opener

Sunday, December 29

Chattanooga, TN

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-7

Tennessee Chattanooga

5-8

Grand Canyon

Tennessee-Chattanooga

Killian Larson picked up his ninth double-double

Photo by: Darryl Webb

12/29/2013 7:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Will play Middle Tennessee State at 2:30 p.m. (AZ time) tomorrow

The Grand Canyon University men's basketball team (5-7) overcame a slow start to erase a 13-point deficit in their first game at the 24^th Annual Dr. Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., but eventually fell to host Tennessee-Chattanooga (5-8) tonight, 69-64, at The McKenzie Arena.

Click here for Michael Potter's postgame interview with head coach Dan Majerle.

The Mocs will have now played in 23 championship games in the tournament and boast a 39-8 record in the event.

The loss was the fourth straight for the Antelopes, who saw Killian Larson collect yet another double-double, his ninth, with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Daniel Alexander also picked up a double-double, his first of the season, with 12 points and 10 rebounds, with the rebound total marking a new career-high. Jerome Garrison also scored in double-figures with 13 points.

GCU shot 36.4 percent from the field (20-for-55), while UTC went 25-for-63 (39.7 percent). The Mocs held the narrow advantage in rebounds, 41-40, but were able to score 36 points in the paint compared to 26 for the 'Lopes.

The Mocs opened the game on a 17-8 run over the first six minutes after making a blistering 61.5 percent of their shots (8-for-14). UTC held the 'Lopes scoreless for just over four minutes until Larson drained a layup with 11:04 on the clock.

Despite trailing by as many as 13 points, GCU closed the gap to four points, 25-21, via a 9-0 run with three and a half minutes remaining in the half. Jevon Estelle capped that run with a three-pointer while GCU returned the favor by holding UTC scoreless for over five minutes.

For the remainder of the half, the Mocs and GCU went basket for basket as they each scored 11 points, giving UTC a 36-32 advantage heading into the locker room. The 'Lopes were led by Larson's 10 points and seven rebounds, while Garrison added eight points.

UTC posted a 37.1 field goal percentage (13-for-35) over the first 20 minutes, while the 'Lopes improved their mark steadily to bring their percentage to 34.5 (10-for-29).

Larson drained two free throws with 16:23 to play to pull GCU within three points, 38-41, in a play that also secured his ninth double-double of the season. The senior center scored all 10 of GCU's points over the first six minutes of the second half.

An impressive Alexander dunk and a Garrison three-pointer erased any deficit from the first 26 minutes and handed the 'Lopes their first lead of the game, 47-45, with 13:35 to play. The lead came by virtue of the second 9-0 run of the contest for GCU.

The Mocs used a 10-4 run of their own to build a 55-49 lead with under 10 minutes remaining and ultimately outscored the 'Lopes 16-7 over a span of nearly nine minutes after GCU had taken their first lead of the contest.

After finding themselves nearing a double-digit deficit as the clock was winding down, GCU rallied to make it a three-point game, 67-64, with 38.9 seconds. Forced to foul, UTC made two crucial free throws to cement the close victory.

The 'Lopes will be back in action for the final day of the tournament tomorrow and will face off against Middle Tennessee State (8-5), who earlier today dropped an 89-85 overtime contest to Maine, at 2:30 p.m. (Arizona time). Fans can tune in to that game live on www.960thepatriot.com, while the game will air on a tape-delayed basis on KKNT 960 AM in Phoenix beginning at 7 p.m.

UTC 69, GCU 64