GCU knocks off NMSU, snapping Aggies 14-game WAC winning streak

Saturday, January 9

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

15-2, 2-0

New Mexico State

9-8, 1-1

NMSU

Grand Canyon

GCU knocks off NMSU, snapping Aggies 14-game WAC winning streak

1/9/2016 9:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Samantha Fell

PHOENIX – The GCU men's basketball team won their eighth-consecutive game in a 79-75 thriller over New Mexico State on Saturday night. The game was Grand Canyon's first-ever victory over the Aggies and ended their 14-game winning streak in Western Athletic Conference play. The Lopes improved to 15-2 overall and 2-0 in the WAC.

An ecstatic head coach Dan Majerle classified Saturday's win as the Lopes' biggest yet.

"This now surpasses the San Diego State game," Majerle said. "It's a conference win at home, against a team that we've never even sniffed a win against. This was just a step in the right direction. Part of the evolution that we're trying to get to."

The Aggies made their first seven shots from the floor and had an early 15-8 lead going into the first media timeout. The Lopes began to battle back behind some tough inside play from Grandy Glaze. Glaze filled the stat sheet in the first half by scoring 13 of the Lopes' first 17 points. Grand Canyon continued to chip away at the New Mexico State lead and entered the locker room trailing by four, 39-35.

In the second half, Joshua Braun set the tone by draining a three on the first Lopes possession. Grand Canyon gained their first lead of the night behind two Braun free throws at the 18:32 mark of the second half and never lost the momentum. After an electrifying double-block defensive play, GCU led 51-48 and turned up the intensity even more.

The Aggies stuck around behind 17 points and 12 rebounds from New Mexico State star, Pascal Siakam.

"It was fun. They always win the WAC so it was definitely our biggest win of the year," Braun said. "It was fun, it was a blast. I just love playing with these guys. I think they got off to a good start and we tried to keep our heads up right after. We were right with them."

New Mexico State tied the game at 69 with 1:29 remaining. Matt Jackson hit a runner in the lane to give the Lopes a two-point lead and then came up with a huge steal on the defensive side. The Aggies knocked down a three to get within 75-74 with 7.7 seconds remaining but Braun went 7-for-8 from the line in the final minute to seal the victory for GCU.

Grand Canyon was led by their big three players. Braun, Glaze, and DeWayne Russell combined to score 49 of GCU's 79 points. Braun ended the game with his second double-double of the season, leading the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Majerle praised Braun's performance and noted that his star player was under the weather this week.

"Josh is such a warrior," Majerle added. "He guts through it. He's not only one of the best players in the conference but he's one of the better players in the whole country."

Glaze finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds while Russell had 11 points and 4 assists. He committed zero turnovers for the game while leading the team from the point guard position all night.

GCU had excellent ball control throughout the game and only committed four turnovers, a season-low for any team in the WAC this season.

The Grand Canyon student section played a huge factor in the game as well. GCU set an all-time attendance record of 7,413 fans and the entire arena was on their feet for the ending of the game and stormed the court after the victory.

"First one since I've been here and it was well deserved," Majerle said, noting the impact. "New Mexico State has always been able to beat us. Those students, they deserve it just as much as we do. They are a huge part of why we're successful this year."

Next up, the Lopes look to extend their winning streak to nine games as they face conference foe Utah Valley on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. at GCU Arena.