Seesaw 2nd half sewn up by Lopes

Tuesday, December 20

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-4,0-0WAC

Idaho State

3-10,0-0Big Sky

Idaho St.

Grand Canyon

12/20/2022 10:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro

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GCU hoards offensive boards to lead 25-4 in 2nd-chance points

By: Paul Coro

The perspective on Grand Canyon's two consecutive home victories that were magic acts can change when it is zoomed out.

The Lopes followed up Saturday's overtime win against Pepperdine by edging Idaho State 68-66 on Tuesday night, when junior power forward Yvan Ouedraogo was out with a wrist injury.

Both wins were close shaves but GCU did not get cut, perhaps learning from the wounds of the preceding two- and four-point losses to North Texas and Loyola Marymount.

Having tested itself with its most challenging nonconference schedule of the Division I era, the Lopes (9-4) ended the stretch by emerging from a tug-of-war second half of 15 lead changes by claiming the most important one --- the last one.

GCU used the last three of its 25 second-chance points and a critical pivot scoop by sophomore guard Ray Harrison, part of his 14-point second half, to lead for the final 87 seconds. The Lopes still had to survive a long 3-point miss at the buzzer, ending Idaho State's 3-point shooting game at 5 for 20 after Pepperdine went 4 for 19 on 3s on Saturday.

"We had to rally around each other," said GCU junior power forward Gabe McGlothan, who posted consecutive double-doubles for the third time in his career. "We each had to do something. Coach (Bryce) Drew talks about what this season's about – the season of giving. Yvan's out, so we all have to give a little bit more. That's what we were called to do. I had to grab one more rebound. Someone has to get an extra stop, an extra basket."

With Ouedraogo sidelined by a left wrist injury from Saturday's first half, McGlothan grabbed a career-high eight offensive rebounds Tuesday night to lead GCU to a season-high 19 offensive rebounds and a 25-4 advantage in second-chance points.

McGlothan's 14 points and 11 rebounds paired with Harrison delivering 18 points as he and junior point guard Jovan Blacksher Jr., who was limited by his sprained ankle, each posted six assists with one turnover.

"It was him taking advantage of the defense," Drew said of Harrison, who went 4 for 8 from the field and 5 for 5 on free throws in the second half. "They were switching a lot, so he was getting some mismatches. We needed him down the stretch. Jovan, still banged up, down the stretch had to leave the game with his ankle. We got to get healthy. We got so many guys banged up now. It's nice that we have a break."

Junior center Aidan Igiehon received the start in place of Ouedraogo and was limited to 17 minutes because of four fouls. He grabbed six rebounds, including his only score on a game-tying follow to end the first half.

"It was big shoes to fill with rebounding and the defense, so I was going out there to try to help my team," said Igiehon, who needed three stitches above his right eye from a first-half blow he took. "I need to be more locked in on the defensive end initially. When you're subbing in, you can see what's going on first and then you're in."

The Bengals scored on six consecutive possessions to take an 18-9 lead after six minutes and maintained a comfortable lead at 26-16. The Lopes' perimeter pressure increased to keep Idaho State from making a field goal for the half's final 8:50.

"We knew coming in to this game after we got the news on Yvan there was a lot of work to do," Drew said. "Unfortunately, when we got the news, there wasn't enough time to really tweak and change things. Our team's totally different. It's pretty obvious looking out there. We gave up 46% (shooting). Things that we took away all year, we gave up tonight."

The score stayed a one-possession game for nearly the first 17 minutes of the second half. A Harrison driving 3-point play put GCU ahead 63-59 with 3:09 remaining, but Idaho State still tied it a minute later.

Lopes junior guard Josh Baker was fouled on a follow and converted free throws for a 65-63 lead before Harrison pivoted in the lane for a scoop that made the lead 67-63 with 50 seconds to go. A Bengals 3 cut the lead to 67-66 with 39.8 seconds to go and GCU drained the shot clock before Harrison missed and McGlothan secured his most important offensive rebound and kicked the ball out for Baker, who was fouled with 5.3 seconds remaining.

"It was, 'Let's find a way to get a win,' " McGlothan said of GCU's 19 offensive rebounds. "Our shots weren't as consistent or efficient as we'd like, so getting other opportunities would be a game-changer."

Baker made one free throw on the last trip, leaving the Bengals to go the length of the floor with 5.3 seconds to go. Idaho State guard Miguel Tomley pulled up from the "U" of the midcourt "GCU" and missed a potential game-winning 3 with three Lopes' defensive attention.

GCU used a small-ball lineup for most of the second half with McGlothan and graduate forward Noah Baumann, who claimed the top plus-minus (plus seven in 26 minutes) being joined by graduate swingman Walter Ellis, who played all of his 14 minutes in the second half.

"It's something we're probably going to have to continue to do some," Drew said. "We'll continue to work on some of that, put more emphasis on it and try to get better at it."