Stretch run can start momentum in Chicago

Wednesday, Feb. 23 \| 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) \| Jones Convocation Center \| Chicago

	CHICAGO STATE COUGARS (6-21, 2-12 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (18-7, 9-5 WAC)

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Grand Canyon finishes the regular season against Chicago State, Sam Houston, Utah Valley and Dixie State over the next two weeks, so losing again to New Mexico State is a worst-case scenario.

When GCU met back for practice after Saturday's loss to New Mexico State, Lopes head coach Bryce Drew told his players, "Let's get back to our winning ways," with the first step toward that and WAC Tournament momentum coming Wednesday night at Chicago State.

The Lopes do not need to face two opponents, the one on the court and a potential lingering mental one, when they have an imperative of checklist of finding their best basketball, a third scorer and a top-four WAC Tournament seed.

"How quick can we regroup?" said GCU head coach Bryce Drew, whose next win will give him 200 career coaching victories. "That's going to be a test of their will power, a test of how quickly they can shake off something like this and work harder instead of soaking in this game.

"Our big thing is the game with New Mexico State is over with. What we don't want to do is hang onto that game and have New Mexico State beat us again against another opponent in the next four games because we're hanging onto that game. We need to learn, move on and improve for Wednesday."

The best way the offense could grow for a stretch run is to find consistent scoring that supplements how guards Jovan Blacksher Jr. and Holland Woods II have combined for 31 points per game this season.

Sophomore power forward Gabe McGlothan (9.2 points per game) and graduate swingman Sean Miller-Moore (7.4 points per game) have been the Lopes' next leading scorers.

GCU comes and goes with its offense. In wins, McGlothan shoots 50% from the field and Miller-Moore is at 63%. In losses, McGlothan is shooting 33% and Miller-Moore is at 30%. The Lopes are 12-1 when Miller-Moore scores seven points or more.

Drew said the onus is on the coaching staff to entrust other players with shots and create those opportunities for them.

"Sean gives us that third scoring person that we really need when he does it," Drew said. "He had zero points on Saturday and that really hurt us. A consistent third scorer is what we've been lacking for the last month. Getting that third guy to step up and score 10 to 15 a night. Hopefully, we can get somebody to step up these last four games and get that third scorer that we desperately need."

GCU sophomore guard Jayden Stone has been given a chance to expand his bench role in the past two games. The Lopes played the Aggies evenly in his season-high 17 minutes, when he scored all seven of his points on free throws with aggressive drives to match the defense he played against New Mexico State star Teddy Allen.

"There are two ways we can go," Stone said. "We can sink further deeper or bounce back from it and realize that the task ahead is Chicago State, not New Mexico State. We're pushing forward and moving on positively."

Chicago State (6-21, 2-12 WAC) is improved this season but has faded down the stretch with an eight-game losing streak. The Cougars beat California Baptist at home in January.

The Lopes won 80-63 in the teams' first meeting, a Dec. 30 conference opener in which GCU missed nine of its first 10 3-point tries before turning hot from the perimeter. Chicago State's leading scorer, junior guard Brandon Betson, went 2 for 11 from the field at GCU for seven points, half of his season scoring average.

"Some teams are out of gas at this point," Drew said. "Some teams get a freshness and rejuvenation. That's what we're hoping for."

Lope tracks

Wednesday's game at Chicago State marks the Lopes' final road game of the season and their final conference trip to the Cougars, who are leaving the WAC after this season. GCU is 5-5 in road games this season.
The Lopes are 13-0 when hitting the 70-point mark this season.
Chicago State ranks among the nation's worst teams for field goal percentage (seventh lowest, 39.2%), turnovers per game (11th most, 16.0) and opponent 3-point shooting (third highest, 38.8%).

Wednesday, Feb. 23 | 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) | Jones Convocation Center | Chicago

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Players Mentioned

Jovan Blacksher Jr.

Gabe McGlothan

Sean Miller-Moore

Jayden Stone

Holland Woods II

Grand Canyon University Athletics