Roles expand for bounce-back game

Tuesday, Dec. 15 \| 7 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| GCU Arena

	SAGU AMERICAN INDIAN WARRIORS (0-4)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (4-1)

WATCH: FOX 10 Xtra (Ch. 45 / Cable 9), GCULopes.com \| LISTEN: 1580 The Fanatic \| STATS: View

The vivid vision of Grand Canyon players holding their heads in unison and disbelief at Sunday's final horn is lingering with the feeling that the Lopes were this or that away from upsetting Arizona State.

The only way to begin washing away a 71-70 loss to ASU is to get back on the GCU Arena floor, where the Lopes play another local team, SAGU American Indian, for their third game in five days. That will give GCU (4-1) reason to unveil more of this season's newfound depth as the Lopes try to keep progressing for the Far West Classic, where they will play San Francisco (5-3) on Sunday and Colorado (3-1) next Tuesday in Las Vegas.

"Once we're able to hit the court again, we can put back to work what we learned from last game and we don't have to sit with that sour taste in our mouths," GCU sophomore power forward Gabe McGlothan said. "It can give us confidence that we're still growing."

It is another pandemic-friendly game that reduces travel. The Phoenix-based Warriors are 0-4 but played the NAIA's undefeated No. 19 team, The Master's, tough twice last week – leading the first game at halftime before losing 97-86 and dropping the second game 81-79.

"We want to be able to play with a really good pace," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "And when guys get tired, be able to sub and keep that pace up."

The Warriors will be anxious to play a televised game with five Valley products on their roster, but this will be an opportunity game for several Lopes too. GCU freshman guard Jayden Stone already has been playing between 12 and 17 minutes in every game, including the final four minutes in the ASU game.

"I've never been in an environment like that so it was good to play," Stone said. "I'm just trying to be a good teammate, not trying to rush anything and knowing my place in the team and stick with that role.

"To finish the game out for any freshman is big, especially on that stage. For him (Drew) to trust me made me feel really good."

GCU senior forward Sean Miller-Moore, an Oregon State transfer, played a career-high 25 minutes against ASU, offering a needed defensive alternative for freshman phenom Josh Christopher.

Miller-Moore came up with a career-high three steals and a career high-tying six rebounds. Offensively, Miller-Moore gave GCU another penetrator and post entry passer on offense.

Sean Miller-Moore

"We go hard every day so I'm prepared for stuff like that," Miller-Moore said. "Everybody's disappointed because we felt we should've beat them. Everyone wants to win so it doesn't matter how close you get. It doesn't get in the win column."

Potential expanded roles could put more of a shine on reserve players. Even though senior center Asbjørn Midtgaard leads the team at 10.0 rebounds per game, McGlothan leads in rebound rate at 15.2 boards per 40 minutes. Freshman guard Chance McMillian has made 4 of 8 shots from 3-point range while sophomore 6-foot-10 power forward Dima Zdor could be ready to transfer more of his preseason promise.

"It's the whole team that goes hard," McGlothan said. "They're a pivotal part, myself included, like everyone on the team to be what we are and what we will be by the end of the season. It takes all 15 guys. Seeing our brothers be able to go out there and show out is going to be awesome."

Lope tracks

Senior power forward Alessandro Lever's go-ahead 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining against Arizona State was a big shot in history too. He passed Joshua Braun for the GCU Division I-era record with 505 made field goals. He trails Braun by 317 points for the program's DI-era career scoring record.
GCU ranks 12th nationally for rebound margin (plus-14.8 per game) and 27th nationally for field goal percentage (51.5%).
Midtgaard's 10.0 rebounding average ranks 23rd in the nation.
The SB Nation Mid-Major Madness' "The Other Top 25" ranked GCU at No. 25 among mid-major programs. No other WAC program was ranked.

Tuesday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. (Phoenix time) | GCU Arena

Players Mentioned

Joshua Braun

Alessandro Lever

Gabe McGlothan

Chance McMillian

Sean Miller-Moore

Jayden Stone

Dima Zdor

Grand Canyon University Athletics