GCU storms to upset of No. 25 San Diego State

Tuesday, December 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-1,2-0WAC

San Diego State

7-2,0-0Mountain West

San Diego St.

Grand Canyon

12/5/2023 11:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro

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4 Lopes score in double figures; 2023 national runner-up shoots 40%

By: Paul Coro

Grand Canyon enveloped San Diego State like a storm.

The Havocs stormed the court.

And now the Lopes are taking college basketball by storm.

GCU made a national statement with its first-ever win against a top-25 program, knocking off 25th-ranked and 2023 national runner-up San Diego State for a 79-73 upset that thrilled an ESPNU audience and a standing-room-only crowd of 7,282 fans at Global Credit Union Arena.

The Lopes (7-1) rotated star offensive performances and locked down the Aztecs (7-2) to 40% shooting to prove more resilient than one of the nation's most notably tough teams. GCU has won a pair of WAC Tournament championships and three NAIA national championships, but Tuesday night marked the greatest regular-season win in program history.

"What a great night for our school and the commitment they've made to basketball over the years and for our fans, their devotion to come out and support us and bring such energy on a nightly basis," said Lopes head coach Bryce Drew, whose team is off to its best eight-game starts in its 11-year Division I history. "Our players had to play tough and physical for 40 minutes, and they did that."

Phoenix, AZ Dec. 5, 2023: Grand Canyon recorded the program's first victory against a top-25 opponent by knocking off 25th-ranked San Diego State, the 2023 national runner-up, with a 79-73 victory Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

Phoenix, AZ Dec. 5, 2023: Grand Canyon recorded the program's first victory against a top-25 opponent by knocking off 25th-ranked San Diego State, the 2023 national runner-up, with a 79-73 victory Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

GCU took a lead with 14:19 remaining in the game and never trailed again, pulling away at one stage when senior guard Tyon Grant-Foster made back-to-back 3-pointers for a 69-56 advantage with 4:24 to go.

The Lopes, No. 2 nationally for free throw attempts, scored the rest of the way at the charity stripe with 10-for-14 accuracy. They outscored San Diego State 23-15 on free throws to end the six-game winning streak of the Aztecs, who were playing for the national championship eight months ago.

"I think it was a big identity game for us," GCU graduate power forward Gabe McGlothan said. "That's what we wanted to come out with a lot of energy and really pick it up on the defensive end. Mostly for ourselves and what we're capable of. Showing us what we can do and then that can translate to show everyone else."

McGlothan was part of a starting unit in which each member came up huge for a Grand Canyon-sized win. He posted a 13-point, nine-rebound first half that sent the Lopes to the locker room with a 35-28 lead when McGlothan ended the half with a relentless putback and two free throws off another offensive rebound. He finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds for his 17th career double-double as one of four GCU double-digit scorers.

Phoenix, AZ Dec. 5, 2023: Grand Canyon recorded the program's first victory against a top-25 opponent by knocking off 25th-ranked San Diego State, the 2023 national runner-up, with a 79-73 victory Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

"Gabe's getting to the point where it's really hard to get him off the court," Drew said. "He's doing so much. Even when he's not scoring, he's spacing. He's getting guys open. He's rebounding on both ends of the floor. He's passing the ball well. And his leadership. He knows where guys should go and what should be happening. I couldn't be more proud."

Lopes junior guard Ray Harrison was the leading scorer with 23 points and added eight rebounds while continuing to handle the point guard duties with Jovan Blacksher Jr. finishing knee rehabilitation. Harrison made all eight of his second-half free throws and had a key hanging finish at the rim that opened the lead to 63-54 with 6:20 to go.

"I've never experienced something like that (courtstorming)," said Harrison, who transferred to GCU from Presbyterian in 2022 envisioning bigtime program moments like last season's NCAA tournament and Tuesday night's top-25 upset. "I was trying to get up out of there, but there was a dude in my face saying, 'Nope, you're staying right here.' It was dope. That was crazy.

"That is something I imagined. So being able to complete this with my guys, it means the most."

Phoenix, AZ Dec. 5, 2023: Grand Canyon recorded the program's first victory against a top-25 opponent by knocking off 25th-ranked San Diego State, the 2023 national runner-up, with a 79-73 victory Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

Grant-Foster, the nation's No. 9 scorer entering Tuesday, went 2 for 11 from the field in the first half but could not be denied an impact. After entering the season with a career high of one assist in a game, he recorded a team-best five assists against San Diego State's esteemed defense.

But Grant-Foster felt more than the support of his four courtmates when the Lopes were on defense. The Havocs, some of whom had camped out since after Saturday night's win, were consistently raucous from the time they moved inside to when they stormed the court.

"It was over the top, and we needed it," Grant-Foster said. "They gave us a huge boost.

"The Havocs, just as much it's our win, it's their win too."

With three NBA scouts on hand, Grant-Foster still found his points at the free throw line (6 for 9) and with the key back-to-back 3s to score 18. He also added two blocked shots and two steals.

"He's expanding his game," Drew said of Grant-Foster. "If he can continue to do that, it's going to open up our offense from a team perspective but also him. He got some really good looks later in the game that were huge."

The fourth starter with double-digit points was Moore, who was coming off a rough pair of games last week and showed up to the GCU Basketball Practice Facility at 4:30 p.m. to shoot before a 7 p.m. game. After a two-point first half, Moore posted a 13-point second half that included three consecutive made 3-pointers and a highlight to remember.

Phoenix, AZ Dec. 5, 2023: Grand Canyon recorded the program's first victory against a top-25 opponent by knocking off 25th-ranked San Diego State, the 2023 national runner-up, with a 79-73 victory Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

Off McGlothan's offensive rebound, Moore dribbled around Aztecs forward Elijah Saunders to the baseline, and the 6-foot-4 guard shocked the crowd by turning an apparent reverse layup into a reverse slam that rocked the arena's third-largest crowd ever.

"That baseline dunk was as good as I've seen in college basketball," Drew said.

Before Grant-Foster made his consecutive 3s, Moore had hit back-to-back 3s to open a 58-52 lead that was GCU's biggest at the time.

Moore had made one shot in each of the previous three games but went 6 for 12 from the field on Tuesday night.

"I knew I was going downhill," Moore said. "My teammates kept telling me, 'You're good. Next game is going to be OK for you. Next game is going to be your game.' I kept praying, my teammates uplifted me and here we are."

Phoenix, AZ Dec. 5, 2023: Grand Canyon recorded the program's first victory against a top-25 opponent by knocking off 25th-ranked San Diego State, the 2023 national runner-up, with a 79-73 victory Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

Lopes sophomore center Duke Brennan was the lone starter not in double digits, but his job was different Friday night. He was tasked with defending San Diego State star Jaedon LeDee and teamed with senior Sydney Curry for a physical two-man punch. GCU also employed more 2-3 zone defense than usual.

LeDee, the nation's sixth-leading scorer at 22.6 points per game, racked up customary numbers with 24 points and 10 rebounds, but he did not dominate enough to make up for the rest of the Aztecs going 16 for 46 from the field (34.7%).

"I give all the credit to Syd and Duke," Moore said. "What a great job they did on LeDee.

"We knew they were tough, so we just tried to match their toughness. I feel like nobody can outtough us, so that's what we brought to the court."

From the time Moore hit back-to-back 3s for a 58-52 lead, San Diego State never pulled within a possession again to reverse GCU's previous 0-for-9 fate against top-25 opponents.

As the Lopes put the game away on free throws, the Havocs filled the aisle gaps between each student section with more students in the aisles to prepare for a courtstorming. The players reveled among the students, many of whom camped in front of the arena for two to three nights. The coaches even came into the crowd with Drew bringing his son, Bryson, to savor the magical moment.

"This was definitely one of the things," Drew said of discussing top-25 upsets with recruits. "Having a chance to have a ranked team in your building is special. We have aspirations that we want to get votes and get ranked. To do that you have to win games, and the only way you get respect is by earning it.

"This one was extra cool. The energy that our crowd brings and them being out there and then staying with us after. Man, what a great feeling and what a great experience for our team and our students too to share it all together."