Lopes top Mustangs 71-64

Wednesday, December 28

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

9-5

Cal Poly

5-8

Cal Poly

Grand Canyon

12/28/2016 8:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jake Hernandez

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon men's basketball team won their sixth consecutive home game and improved to 9-5 on the season as they defeated Cal Poly on Wednesday night. DeWayne Russell led all scorers with 25 points (6-of-14).

Three Grand Canyon players reached double-digit points, including Russell (25), Keonta Vernon (13) and Shaq Carr (10) to hold off Cal Poly's three top scorers; Luke Meikle (22), Donovan Fields (14) and Ridge Shipley (12).

"I thought it was a great win," GCU head coach Dan Majerle commented. "It was one of those battles. I was worried about this really good team that can spread the floor and really shoot it. As you can see they can rebound – they have the big guy down there that went to work. It is a well coach team and I was worried about it but we found a way to win. I am proud of my guys. This was a good win for us."

To begin the game, turnovers were a factor for both teams. In the first five minutes of the game, tied 4-4, both teams totaled seven turnovers. It was not until GCU's leading scorer Russell hit back-to-back buckets, including a three-pointer, for the Lopes to take a 9-4 lead.

In the first half, the Lopes shot 46% (12-of-26), including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Mustangs shot 39% (10-of-26) as they trailed the Lopes 31-27 at the break.
Leading GCU in scoring in the first half, Kerwin Smith recorded eight points and seven rebounds, including 4-of-7 from the free throw line. Gerard Martin added six points off 2-of-3 shooting from the 3-point line, including one to end the half.

Lopes got off to a quick start in the second half after a quick jumper by Carr put the Lopes up 31-27. In a close contest, the Lopes did not take their largest lead of the game (8) until 1:32 left in the game. With an impressive 4-of-4 finish by the Lopes, the Mustangs would not be tamed as they answered with a 5-of-5 finish of their own to end the contest.

Grand Canyon's offense continued to fire on all cylinders as they shot 48% (12-of-25) in the second half. The game-leading scorer, Russell found his rhythm, making 20 of his 25 points in the second half, including 12-of-17 from the free throw line.

Vernon added 13 points (6-of-8) with five rebounds. Carr recorded 10 points (4-of-7) with four boards.

Cal Poly's Meikle gave the Lopes a run for their money, recording 22 points (9-of-20). Fields and Shipley followed with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Out-rebounded 38-30, the Lopes were able to force 13 Mustang turnovers while only giving away the ball nine times. Fouls would also be an issue for Cal Poly as they led with 24 compared to Grand Canyon's 13.

Next up, the Lopes will travel to play UC Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 3:00 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on Big West TV and aired on FOX Sports 910 AM.