Braun's return lifts Lopes over Wolverines

Saturday, January 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

10-6, 1-0WAC

Utah Valley

8-8, 0-1WAC

Utah Valley

Grand Canyon

1/7/2017 8:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jake Hernandez

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon men's basketball team won its seventh consecutive home game and improved to 10-6, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference, on the season as they defeated Utah Valley 82-72 to open up conference play on Saturday night. Josh Braun led all scorers with a season-high 31 points, including a record-tying seven 3-pointers.

"It's great, I'm a lot better coach when Josh Braun is playing," said head coach Dan Majerle. "Our guys got in foul trouble early, Kerwin had a heck of a game for us, for his first start of the year. DeWayne hit some big shots in the second half. But Josh was just Josh, he amazes. He finds a way to get it done."

In his first game back from injury, Joshua Braun dropped a season-high 31 points (10-of-20), including seven 3-pointers. His seven 3-pointers tied a GCU Division I record for most in a game. DeWayne Russell recorded his second double-double of the season, recording 21 points (7-of-19) and 11 assists.

"Praise the Lord, I'm feeling healthy and playing back out here with these guys," said Braun. "I think coach Majerle really wants us to shoot our shots. He gives you the green light to take a shot if you think you can make it."

In the first half, Russell and Braun combined for 31 of GCU's 38 points. Braun led all scorers with 21 points, off 7-of-12 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Following Braun, Russell dropped 11 points (4-of-12), adding four assists.

The Lopes got off to a quick start defensively, as they forced five Wolverine turnovers in first 10 minutes of the game. After a 17-9 early lead to begin the game, GCU went on a five-minute scoring drought as UVU went on a 13-0 run during that span to take a 22-17 lead at the seven-minute mark in the first half.

After a quick timeout, the Lopes found their rhythm offensively, hitting 6-of-6, including 13 straight points from Braun. Not letting Grand Canyon get a comfortable lead, Utah Valley answered offensively, keeping the score 38-35 in favor of GCU at the break.

Despite only shooting at 35 percent compared to UVU's 44 percent from the field in the first half, GCU went into the locker room with a three-point lead. Utah Valley's Kenneth Ogbe recorded 13 points (6-of-10) followed by Brandon Randolph's 10 points (4-of-5).

In the second half, Grand Canyon got off to a quick start by going on a 13-0 run over a 2:41 period to take a commanding 56-41 lead with 12:55 left in the game. During the Lopes' 13-0 run, the Wolverines were unable to connect offensively going on a scoring drought and turned the ball over four times.

With less than five minutes left in the game, the Lopes went on a 7-0 run, creating a 19-point lead, their largest lead of the game. During the second half, GCU made 47 percent from the field, including seven 3-pointers. Three GCU players (Russell, Braun and Oscar Frayer) made multiple 3-point shots in the second half, ending with a team-total 12 3-pointers in the game.

Following scoring leaders Braun and Russell, Kerwin Smith added a season-high 12 points (6-of-8) with a team-high nine boards. Frayer finished with six points off 2-of-4 shooting from the 3-point line.

Four Utah Valley players hit double-digit points against the Lopes, led by Ogbe's 20 (8-of-16). Randolph (18), Isaac Nelson (14) and Connor Toolson (11).

Next up, the Lopes will travel to Las Cruces, N.M. to take on WAC-rival New Mexico State on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. MST. The game will be aired on FOX Sports 910 AM. The game will a 'Lopes on the Road' feature, allowing GCU Alumni to catch a Grand Canyon game on the road.