Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Rapid Recap: GCU 85, WNMU 59
10/30/2021 7:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
Lopes receive rings, roll in 85-59 exhibition rout
Grand Canyon received its WAC championship rings, unveiled conference regular-season and tournament title banners and then began the trek to look like a contender again with a 85-59 exhibition victory against Western New Mexico.
The rollicking atmosphere returned to GCU Arena with a full crowd featuring the frenetic Havocs and a revamped roster that had the Lopes in control from the early minutes. GCU used its turned-up tempo to jump out to a 19-6 start with 11 points from the hustle and inside game of an early substitute, 6-foot-9 Nebraska transfer Yvan Ouedraogo.
The Lopes shot 52% for the game with balanced scoring led by junior point guard Jovan Blacksher Jr.'s 13 points and five assists and Oudegraogo's 11 points and nine rebounds, but also gave head coach Bryce Drew plenty to talk about for the next 10 days before the regular season opens against Grambling State at home.
GCU made 14 first-half turnovers and finished with 24 turnovers and 26 fouls to give the staff material for the next few days of practices. Some of that could have come from nerves, with Blacksher being the only scholarship player who had experienced the full-house ambiance and noise of GCU Arena previously.
The Lopes' defensive calling card was established, holding Western New Mexico to 28% shooting and no 3-pointers until the second half.
Drew leaned on Woods for 19 first-half minutes and the Arizona State transfer deliver 10 points and four assists in the game, showing a backcourt strength with Blacksher and even being part of a three-guard lineup at times with sophomore Chance McMillian.
GCU led 43-28 at halftime and stretched the lead to 65-40 in the second half when the defense kept the Mustangs scoreless for four consecutive minutes. That allowed Drew to go to his full roster and get some much-needed experience for players like Taeshon Cherry and Aidan Igieghon, who had not played in a game since December. Igiehon showed versatility to go with his strong 6-foot-10 frame, hitting a 3-pointer as part of his team-high eight second-half points.
The rollicking atmosphere returned to GCU Arena with a full crowd featuring the frenetic Havocs and a revamped roster that had the Lopes in control from the early minutes. GCU used its turned-up tempo to jump out to a 19-6 start with 11 points from the hustle and inside game of an early substitute, 6-foot-9 Nebraska transfer Yvan Ouedraogo.
The Lopes shot 52% for the game with balanced scoring led by junior point guard Jovan Blacksher Jr.'s 13 points and five assists and Oudegraogo's 11 points and nine rebounds, but also gave head coach Bryce Drew plenty to talk about for the next 10 days before the regular season opens against Grambling State at home.
GCU made 14 first-half turnovers and finished with 24 turnovers and 26 fouls to give the staff material for the next few days of practices. Some of that could have come from nerves, with Blacksher being the only scholarship player who had experienced the full-house ambiance and noise of GCU Arena previously.
The Lopes' defensive calling card was established, holding Western New Mexico to 28% shooting and no 3-pointers until the second half.
Drew leaned on Woods for 19 first-half minutes and the Arizona State transfer deliver 10 points and four assists in the game, showing a backcourt strength with Blacksher and even being part of a three-guard lineup at times with sophomore Chance McMillian.
GCU led 43-28 at halftime and stretched the lead to 65-40 in the second half when the defense kept the Mustangs scoreless for four consecutive minutes. That allowed Drew to go to his full roster and get some much-needed experience for players like Taeshon Cherry and Aidan Igieghon, who had not played in a game since December. Igiehon showed versatility to go with his strong 6-foot-10 frame, hitting a 3-pointer as part of his team-high eight second-half points.
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