Harvard Snaps GCU's Three-Game Win Streak

Tuesday, December 30

GCU Arena

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-8

Harvard

8-3

Harvard

Grand Canyon

DeWayne Russell had 15 points against Harvard

Photo by: Darryl Webb

12/30/2014 7:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Lopes conclude non-conference play against UC Riverside on Sunday at 4 p.m.

The Grand Canyon University men's basketball team (8-8) dropped a hard fought contest, 72-59, to visiting Harvard (8-3) tonight in front of a sellout crowd (7,412) at GCU Arena. The loss snapped a season-best three-game win streak for the Antelopes.

The Crimson were ranked in the 2014-15 Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll after going 27-5 last season and advancing to the third round of the 2013-14 NCAA Tournnament.

Click here for Michael Potter's postgame interview with assistant coach TJ Benson.

GCU was led by Daniel Alexander and DeWayne Russell with 15 points apiece, while De'Andre Davis added 13 points. Alexander added a team-high five rebounds.

The Lopes shot 44.2 percent from the floor (23-for-52) and outscored the Crimson 38-32 in the paint. Harvard went 25-for-48 (52.1 percent) in the game, including 60.0 percent (12-for-20) over the final 20 minutes. The Crimson were also aided by six three-pointers and outrebounded the Lopes 38-24.

Harvard built an early 14-7 advantage over the first nine minutes of play by virtue of holding the Lopes scoreless for nearly four minutes. That lead grew to double digits, 21-11, with nine minutes remaining in the first half.

GCU would come as close as seven points in the half before the Crimson carried a 34-24 lead into the locker room. Harvard shot 46.4 percent (13-for-28) over the first 20 minutes, compared to 9-for-24 (37.5 percent) for GCU. Joshua Braun and Alexander led the Lopes with seven points apiece at the break.

Harvard opened the second half on a 6-0 run and went on to lead by as many as 21 points in the game. GCU closed the gap to 12 points with 7:09 to play on the clock after holding the Crimson without a basket for over four minutes.

GCU improved their field goal percentage in the second half to 50.0 percent (14-for-28) and forced nine Harvard turnovers that resulted in 13 GCU points in that same time.

The Lopes will conclude non-conference play when they welcome UC Riverside to GCU Arena for a 4 p.m. game on Sunday, Jan. 4. Fans can listen to the action live on KXXT 1010 AM Family Values Radio or watch on Cox7.

HU 72, GCU 59