Quick turnaround takes down NAU by 34

Sunday, November 12

Phoenix, Ariz.

3:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-0,0-0WAC

Northern Arizona

0-2,0-0Big Sky

Northern Ariz.

Grand Canyon

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

11/12/2023 7:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro

Box Score Photo Gallery

Curry's 7-for-7 shooting off bench leads GCU's balanced scoring

By: Paul Coro

Grand Canyon cruised in its season opener, leaving little to question except how it would handle adversity.

The Lopes created some trouble with a 10-1 hole to start Sunday's game but responded by cleaning up their litter in an adopt-a-highway game between I-17 programs. GCU shut out Northern Arizona for the next four minutes and hit the passing lane hard to zoom past the Lumberjacks 89-55 at sold-out GCU Arena.

The Lopes were as balanced as they were deep, eventually wearing down NAU to break open the game with most of their scoring coming from their bench (48 of 89 points).

Team play stood out more than stars, with senior backup center Sydney Curry making all seven of his shots for 17 points in 18 minutes and three other GCU scorers reaching double figures. Junior guard Collin Moore was one of them with 12 points, but it was his four steals and persistent on-ball defense that helped flip the game.

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 12 , 2023: Grand Canyon routed Northern Arizona 89-55 on Sunday at GCU Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 12 , 2023: Grand Canyon routed Northern Arizona 89-55 on Sunday at GCU Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

"It seems like we all needed some energy from each other, and I tried to pick my energy," said Moore, who also had a team-high four assists. "I went in the locker room telling everyone, 'Energy, energy, energy.' "

After NAU used pressure defense and transition offense to shoot out to the 10-1 lead, Lopes head coach Bryce Drew called time out and the rebooted aggression was apparent on the next possession with two second chances.

On a 14-rebound night, graduate power forward Gabe McGlothan scored on a follow and Moore stripped a ball on the next possession to send GCU on a 12-0 run that wiped away the Lumberjacks' start.

Curry, who started in the ACC for Louisville, was a big part of the flip when he subbed into the game. NAU could not match his size off the bench, and Curry went to work on the post with a 3-point play, baseline drive and hook shot in the first half. It was the second-most field goals made without a miss by a GCU player in the program's Division I era (since 2013-14).

"It's definitely my mindset to get to where I want on my spots," Curry said. "Definitely, I'm going to be patient and make the best decision possible. Just come in with better energy, play hard and play for each other, and everything will fall in line."

The Lopes blew open the game with another big first-half run, a 13-1 spurt in which Moore had a block and steal, sophomore center Duke Brennan had a steal and Curry perfectly timed a help block on an NAU drive.

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 12 , 2023: Grand Canyon routed Northern Arizona 89-55 on Sunday at GCU Arena.

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 12 , 2023: Grand Canyon routed Northern Arizona 89-55 on Sunday at GCU Arena.

GCU senior guard Tyon Grant-Foster, drawing more attention after his 30-point opener, hit a pair of shots during the stretch for a 35-22 lead. The Lopes stretched it to a 41-27 halftime advantage when Moore made a half-court shot.

"I work on that shot every day in practice," Moore said. "That's the first shot I work on."

The Lopes denied hope to the Lumberjacks with 68% shooting in the second half, when GCU ripped off another tear with Curry scoring six of 11 unanswered points.

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 12 , 2023: Grand Canyon routed Northern Arizona 89-55 on Sunday at GCU Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

"Different nights, it's going to be different guys," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "We saw the first night how great Tyon was. And tonight I thought Gabe was sensational and then Collin and Sydney were really, really good. Ray was solid, but we all know how good Ray could be.

"We like having the weapons. The big thing we have to do is be really selfless, and a lot of guys are going to have to put scoring on the backburner and really lock in on defense, sharing the ball."

NAU, a Big Sky Tournament finalist, was led by a 16-point performance from ex-Lopes guard Liam Lloyd for the second consecutive game. He was the only Lumberjack to score in double figures, as the GCU defense racked up 10 steals and five blocks after having nine steals and six blocks in the opener against Southeast Missouri.

The game marked the return of Lopes senior guard Josh Baker, who underwent May shoulder surgery. He gave GCU a playmaker on offense and went right back to his strong on-ball defense. Baker added seven points, including a 3-pointer, and a blocked shot in 14 minutes.

"He brings a lot of stability," Drew said of Baker. "We have a lot of guys who have a scorer's mentality. He has a mentality to get people in the right spots and get the right spacing. That's much needed with our team. When we made that big run in the second half, he was in the game playing the point guard. It was a great sign for him and for us."

The Lopes will take their 2-0 start west on Camelback Road to the Arizona Tip-Off at Desert Diamond Arena, where GCU will play San Francisco in a 7 p.m. Friday game. With a win, the Lopes would play the winner of South Carolina and DePaul next Sunday.

"It's a great opportunity to be close to home and have our fans be able to make it out," Drew said.