Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus Purdue Fort Wayne on November 3, 2025 , Win , 90, to, 71
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M Basketball
vs Purdue Fort Wayne
W 90-71
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Rapid Recap: GCU 82, Life Pacific 47
11/24/2021 6:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Lopes return to victory column with runaway home win
Grand Canyon felt sick about losing a late lead at home Monday night against undefeated Wyoming so another home game Wednesday night felt like a giant get-well card.
The Lopes rolled back into the victory column with an 82-47 rout against Life Pacific at GCU Arena.
With each starter scoring on its first five baskets, GCU looked like it would shake off the offensive doldrums from Monday night by running out to a 14-6 lead in the first 3:22 of the game. The lead expanded to 23-9 on a follow score by senior power forward Dima Zdor, who crashed the offensive glass for 10 of his game-high 11 rebounds.
From there, the Lopes waited until the second half to bury the Warriors. Although GCU led 36-20 at the half against the NAIA program, the Lopes needed to clean up their 11-turnover first half to really pull away.
Once GCU's defense helped it to pick up its offensive pace, the Lopes piled up points in a hurry. One of junior Jovan Blacksher Jr.'s five steals sparked a seven-point, 80-second stretch with a fastbreak layup for sophomore Chance McMillian. By the time Zdor added a post-up score and Blacksher nailed a 3-pointer, the Lopes had built a 49-29 lead with 13:40 to go.
Coming off a 38-minute outing with no turnovers on Monday, Blacksher only made one turnover in 26 minutes and posted a two-way line of 16 points, eight assists and five steals.
Lopes sophomore guard Chance McMillian turned around his night with a balanced second half of defensive plays and big shots. McMillian dropped three 3-pointers in a stretch of five GCU possessions and freshman guard Jalen Blackmon, getting extended time with 22 minutes, added another 3 and a free throw for a 67-41 lead.
The blowout allowed Lopes head coach Bryce Drew to take a more extensive look at reserves. GCU junior center Aidan Igiehon logged 16 minutes after not playing Monday and grabbed five rebounds with a blocked shot. Graduate Walter Ellis showed his shooting strength with 2-of-5 accuracy on 3-pointers, helping the bench tally 39 of GCU's 82 points.
The Lopes shot 42% from the field and 38% from 3-point range with five players making at least two 3s. Life Pacific shot 36% from the field with 21 turnovers.
Return to gculopes.com for Paul Coro's full game recap with comments from head coach Bryce Drew and players.
The Lopes rolled back into the victory column with an 82-47 rout against Life Pacific at GCU Arena.
With each starter scoring on its first five baskets, GCU looked like it would shake off the offensive doldrums from Monday night by running out to a 14-6 lead in the first 3:22 of the game. The lead expanded to 23-9 on a follow score by senior power forward Dima Zdor, who crashed the offensive glass for 10 of his game-high 11 rebounds.
From there, the Lopes waited until the second half to bury the Warriors. Although GCU led 36-20 at the half against the NAIA program, the Lopes needed to clean up their 11-turnover first half to really pull away.
Once GCU's defense helped it to pick up its offensive pace, the Lopes piled up points in a hurry. One of junior Jovan Blacksher Jr.'s five steals sparked a seven-point, 80-second stretch with a fastbreak layup for sophomore Chance McMillian. By the time Zdor added a post-up score and Blacksher nailed a 3-pointer, the Lopes had built a 49-29 lead with 13:40 to go.
Coming off a 38-minute outing with no turnovers on Monday, Blacksher only made one turnover in 26 minutes and posted a two-way line of 16 points, eight assists and five steals.
Lopes sophomore guard Chance McMillian turned around his night with a balanced second half of defensive plays and big shots. McMillian dropped three 3-pointers in a stretch of five GCU possessions and freshman guard Jalen Blackmon, getting extended time with 22 minutes, added another 3 and a free throw for a 67-41 lead.
The blowout allowed Lopes head coach Bryce Drew to take a more extensive look at reserves. GCU junior center Aidan Igiehon logged 16 minutes after not playing Monday and grabbed five rebounds with a blocked shot. Graduate Walter Ellis showed his shooting strength with 2-of-5 accuracy on 3-pointers, helping the bench tally 39 of GCU's 82 points.
The Lopes shot 42% from the field and 38% from 3-point range with five players making at least two 3s. Life Pacific shot 36% from the field with 21 turnovers.
Return to gculopes.com for Paul Coro's full game recap with comments from head coach Bryce Drew and players.
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