Lopes aim for 6-0, host Chippewas

Thursday, December 3

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Central Michigan

Tickets

Photo by: Darryl Webb

12/2/2015 5:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

By: Charles Hampton

The Grand Canyon men's basketball team looks to continue their winning ways as the host the Central Michigan Chippewas on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena. The Lopes aim to start the season 6-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season, as well as avening a 79-77 loss in Mount Pleasant a year ago.

Central Michigan will be playing its fifth game in the last 10 days. The Chippewas managed to break a three-game losing streak on Monday with a 74-73 win over McNese State. Rayshawn Simmons led CMU had 16 points and 5 assists. He has led the Chippewas in scoring in four of the first six games, averaging 17.2 points per game. Head coach Keno Davis is in his fourth season with the program and led his squad to the 2014-15 Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship.

The Lopes return to action following a 63-51 win over Hampton on Monday night where they held the Pirates to 34.0 percent shooting for the game. DeWayne Russell led the Lopes with 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Keonta Vernon came off the bench to provide a spark, scoring 10 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and blocking 3 shots. Grand Canyon's two Australians also made a big impact in the game with Gerard Martinproviding stifling defense for 29 minutes and Matt Jackson scored a career-high 10 points.

"I think that was a great win for our guys," head coach Dan Majerle said. "That's a quality team we beat. It wasn't pretty by any means but we really grinded it out. I thought in the second half we played extremely hard. I thought Keonta was unbelievable, blocking shots and rebounding, just his energy. I thought Gerard Martin's defense -- great defense. Then Matt stepping in and doing what he did tonight was good. Overall, I'm pleased with the way we played defensively. I thought we were really good. That's a quality win for our group. We were looking forward to this game and it was a test for us and I'm happy to say we passed it."

Grand Canyon will have a quick turnaround after Central Michigan, flying to Louisville, Ky. on Friday for their first road contest against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday morning.