Big crowd matches big game for rivalry return

Saturday, February 19

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

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2/18/2022 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro

GCU aims to avenge loss at NMSU, back up 2021 wins

By: Paul Coro

Saturday, Feb. 19 \| 6 p.m. \| GCU Arena

	NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES (21-4, 11-2 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (18-6, 9-4 WAC)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| LISTEN: 1580 The Fanatic \| STATS: View

The antsy anticipation for a Grand Canyon-New Mexico State game has more students camped overnight in front of GCU Arena than were allowed inside for the Aggies' visit last year.

GCU swept a season series against New Mexico State and toppled its rival in the WAC Tournament championship, but something was missing – more than 7,000 of the Lopes' rowdiest friends.

GCU has the chance to share a similar experience Saturday night at GCU Arena, where it faces New Mexico State at 6 p.m. in a game that will be as important as it will be impassioned.

The Lopes have not beaten the Aggies at home with a full crowd since 2017. In knocking them off twice at GCU Arena last season, the crowd was limited to less than 1,000 people for each game because of COVID-19 precautions. This game will be full of volume and venom as GCU (18-6, 9-4 WAC) gets a chance to tighten the conference race against New Mexico State (21-4, 11-2 WAC).

Walter Ellis

"I think rivalries start with fan bases," Lopes head coach Bryce Drew said. "Both fan bases get really energized for this matchup. They had the biggest crowd they've had all year when we played at their place. Coming back here, it'll be sold out and hopefully standing room only. There's a lot of excitement around these two teams getting to play each other."

After playing six of its past eight games on the road, GCU plays four of its last five regular-season games on the home court where it is 12-1 this season. Beyond defending the home floor, the Lopes want to defend their WAC title and know getting there always has New Mexico State in the mix.

The Lopes led the Aggies 49-43 with 10:24 remaining on Jan. 29 at New Mexico State, but 29.5% GCU field-goal shooting and a 34-18 foul disparity sent the Aggies to a 71-61 win. GCU took most of its shots from 3-point range, but went 5 for 32 on 3s.

"We liked a lot of the shots we had," Drew said. "We just didn't make them. They played with a lot of energy and made shots early. They deserved to win the game.

"Our guards did a really good job of creating. They passed when they should pass. We just didn't make shots that we normally make. A lot of times in close games, a couple shots dictate how the last four to eight minutes go."

The matchup also gives New Mexico State guard Teddy Allen, the WAC Player of the Year frontrunner, an opportunity to play a Division I game in his hometown for the first time. Allen, who played previously for West Virginia and Nebraska, is averaging a conference-best 19.6 points per game and fifth-best 7.3 rebounds per game.

Taeshon Cherry

Allen posted 28 points and 12 rebounds while playing 40 minutes in the teams' first meeting. GCU leading scorer Jovan Blacksher Jr. was harassed with double teams for a 3-of-15 shooting game that night while backcourt mate Holland Woods scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half. Lopes reserve Taeshon Cherry added 10 points in 21 bench minutes.

"We have something to prove," Cherry said. "We're going to come out hungry and the crowd is going to be insane. I can't wait. Having lost last time, there's more fuel because we want to win for the fans too. We need to make more shots and hit them first because they hit us first there and then we tried to fight back."

Aggies junior guard Sir'Jabari Rice also posted a double-double against GCU this season, tallying 18 points and a season-high 12 rebounds. He has shot 35% from the field since that game.

"It's always fun, especially to go there too," Rice said of GCU after the first meeting. "We know the atmosphere is going to be crazy there too."

Lope tracks

New Mexico State ranks 15th nationally for rebound margin (+7.9) and 19th for opponent field goal percentage (39.1%).
The Aggies outrebounded the Lopes 43-28 in the first meeting and outscored them 34-20 in the paint.
GCU ranks in the national top 20 for opponent 3-point shooting (second, 26.7%), rebounds per game (10th, 40.8), offensive rebounds per game (10th, 13.4), opponent field-goal shooting (12th, 38.4%) and opponent points per game (15th, 60.8).
Blacksher has dished out 16 assists with only five turnovers in the past three games.
Lopes sophomore power forward Yvan Ouedraogo is averaging 9.4 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game over the past five games.
Cherry is 6 for 14 (42.9%) from 3-point range over the past four games. He was previously at 24.6% for the season.
GCU is 16-0 when shooting 40% or better from the field this season.