The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team won for the second-straight game and fifth time in their last six games after beating Notre Dame de Namur, 81-53, tonight in Belmont, Calif.
The win improved the Antelopes overall record to 19-5 and 10-3 in the Pacific West Conference. The Argos fell to 5-16 overall and 4-9 in the league. With the win, GCU improved to 6-4 in games away from Grand Canyon University Arena.
GCU play-by-play voice Michael Potter caught up with Russ Pennell after the game. Click
here for the postgame audio.
The 28-point win was a season best for the ‘Lopes and the 81 points equaled their season-high set just a game ago at Holy Names. The 19 wins match the overall total from last season and both are the most since GCU won 21 during the 2006-07 campaign.
The two teams traded baskets early with GCU leading 12-11 just over eight minutes into the game. Coming out of the second media timeout, the ‘Lopes used a 10-0 run over a 4:19 span to take a commanding 22-11 lead. The Antelopes would lead by as many as 17 in the opening stanza and led 37-23 at the break.
Killian Larson led GCU in the opening half with 12 points and eight boards. The ‘Lopes made 13-of-14 from the free throw.
Grand Canyon was even more impressive in the second half as they quickly opened the lead to 20 and would lead by as many at 31 during the half. The Antelopes shot 48.4 percent (15-for-31) from the floor in the second half and were 8-for-18 from the three-point arc for the game.
The ‘Lopes finished 23-for-27 from the line, a game after going 17-for-18.
Joshua Lowery completed the contest with a game-high 17 points, while Larson finished with 11 rebounds. GCU dominated on the glass this evening with a 42-23 advantage. They have now outrebounded their opponents 80-44 in the past two games.
The 10-day four-game trip will make its next stop in San Mateo, Calif. on Thursday, where the Antelopes will face Academy of Art at 8:30 p.m. (AZ time). The trip will conclude on Saturday with a game against Dominican in San Rafael. Both games can be heard live on www.GCULopes.com. GCU Alum Michael Potter will call the action.
GCU 81 NDNU 53