Men's Hoops Uses Three-Pointers, Defense to Defeat Seattle U

Saturday, January 25

GCU Arena

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-10, 4-2

Seattle

9-10, 1-5

Seattle U

Grand Canyon

Daniel Alexander scored 16 points in GCU's win over Seattle U

Photo by: Darryl Webb

Men's Hoops Uses Three-Pointers, Defense to Defeat Seattle U

1/25/2014 10:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Video highlights inside

The Grand Canyon University men's basketball team (9-10, 4-2) once again turned to their sharp shooting from the three-point line and defensive prowess to post a 71-63 win over visiting Seattle U (9-10, 1-5) tonight in front of the largest crowd for a basketball game at GCU Arena. The Antelopes made 11 three-pointers, the second-most this season, and held the Redhawks to a 34.4 field goal percentage (22-for-64).

Click here for video highlights of the game.

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

Tonight marked the fifth time this season that GCU has made at least 10 three-pointers, as they are now 3-2 in those contests, and the eighth time that the 'Lopes defense has held the opposition to 40.0 percent or less from the field.

For the game, the 'Lopes shot 37.5 percent (18-for-48), meaning that 11 of their 18 baskets came from behind the arc. They were once again efficient from the free throw line, making 24-of-31 attempts (77.4 percent), including 19 down the stretch in the second half.

On the heels of his career-night (30 points) against Idaho, Jerome Garrison recorded his sixth 20-point game as he led both teams with 24 points and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe. Daniel Alexander collected 16 points and a career-best five blocks, while Blake Davis and Killian Larson each had 10 points. Larson also pulled down 14 rebounds for his 13^th double-double of the season.

Sam Daly established career-highs with six assists and eight rebounds.

Both teams were hampered by cold shooting to open the game, as they were tied at six after seven minutes had come off the clock. The 'Lopes took their first lead at 9-6 with just under 13 minutes remaining after Alexander drained his second straight three-pointer. GCU's first 15 points came from beyond the arc, as they led 15-12 before the Redhawks rattled off five straight points over the next two minutes.

The 'Lopes responded with a 15-0 run of their own to build a double-digit advantage at 30-17 with 3:37 to play after holding Seattle without a basket for over five minutes. GCU carried a 33-23 lead into the half, tied for the fewest points allowed by the 'Lopes following the first 20 minutes this season.

Alexander and Garrison led all scorers at the break with 12 points as the 'Lopes shot 34.5 percent from the field (10-for-29), including 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) from three-point range. The Redhawks fared slightly better from the field, going 10-for-28 (35.7 percent), scoring 16 of their points in the paint.

GCU opened the second half by scoring 10 of the first 12 points, extending their lead to 43-25 with under 17 minutes remaining. Seattle closed that gap to six points, 45-39, with 12:43 to play following a 14-2 run. The Redhawks came as close as four points twice, but GCU took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line to cement the win.

The Redhawks narrowly outscored GCU, 40-38, in the final 20 minutes although the 'Lopes shot 42.1 percent (8-for-19) in that stretch compared to 33.3 percent (12-for-36) for Seattle.

GCU will now hit the road for a pair of WAC games, beginning with a 6 p.m. (Arizona time) contest at Chicago State on Jan. 30. The 'Lopes will then visit Kansas City for a 6 p.m. (Arizona time) game on Feb. 1.

GCU 71, SU 63