Regroup focuses on return to successful habits

Friday, November 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Norfolk State

Tickets

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 20 2024 : GCU falls to UC Davis 68-75 at Global Credit Union Arena.

Photo by: Jack Gilday

11/21/2024 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro

GCU Notes NSU Notes

Lopes seek end to 2-game losing streak at home Friday vs. Norfolk State

By: Paul Coro

Friday, Nov. 22 \| 7 p.m. \| Global Credit Union Arena \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS (4-2)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (2-2)

WATCH: FOX 10 Xtra (Ch. 45, Cable 9), ESPN+ \| LISTEN: 1580 The Fanatic \| STATS: View

Grand Canyon does not want to relive the mistakes and regrets of Wednesday night. The Lopes want to recapture the energy and efficiency of last season.

With five key Lopes back from a 30-5 season, GCU will draw on its past successful habits to end a two-game losing streak Friday night when it plays Norfolk State (4-2) at Global Credit Union Arena.

The Lopes trailed by 16 points Wednesday night before an about-face came too late against UC Davis, which won 75-68 to end GCU's 18-game home winning streak.

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 20 2024 : GCU falls to UC Davis 68-75 at Global Credit Union Arena.

"We need to just get back to where we were when we were successful," graduate forward Lök Wur said. "Executing on offense and defense, limiting mistakes and following our game plan and scouting report are key for us right now."

"It helps having most of the guys back. We're definitely using what was successful last year and building chemistry with the guys this year. That's what we're going through right now."

The string of quality opponents continues with Norfolk State, which pushed undefeated Stanford on Wednesday night. The Spartans, who are shooting 51% and allowing 36% shooting this season, cut a 15-point deficit to three with less than two minutes before losing 70-63 at Stanford.

With UC Davis shooting 52% in first half as it built its large lead Wednesday night, the GCU defense remains uncharacteristically vulnerable. Opponents are shooting 48.2% against the Lopes for the 26th-highest clip nationally.

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 20 2024 : GCU falls to UC Davis 68-75 at Global Credit Union Arena. David Kadlubowski/GCU

Phoenix, AZ Nov. 20 2024 : GCU falls to UC Davis 68-75 at Global Credit Union Arena. David Kadlubowski/GCU

"Every game, we start out slow and we can't be like that," said Lopes senior forward JaKobe Coles, who leads the team in points per game (19.3), rebounds per game (8.0) and shooting percentage (60.4%). "We dug ourselves in a deep hole. If we would've just come out aggressive and playing hard, we probably would've come out with that win. We tried as hard as we can to get back in the game. But when you dig a hole that deep, teams are going to take advantage of it."

The trickle effect of losing junior starting center Duke Brennan to a left arm injury for the first four games has impacted the Lopes' depth. The GCU bench has the third-lowest scoring production (10.8 points per game) in the nation.

But the entire team contributed to a rare, lethal mix of missing 3-pointers (4 for 25) and making turnovers (18) at home. It led to locker room conversations about adjustments and group text chats about corrections.

"It caused a lot of frustrations, but we've just got to look to the next game and correct the mistakes we made and make the adjustments we need to," Wur said.

Last season's GCU team did not take its second loss until Jan. 20, the 19th game of the season. Tonight, the Lopes are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since January 2022. Phoenix, AZ Nov. 20 2024 : GCU falls to UC Davis 68-75 at Global Credit Union Arena.

"We're learning our personnel," Drew said. "We're learning JaKobe and what he does well and the things we need to get better on. Lök is in a different role. He needs to get back to the 4 position where he's not at the 5 because it doesn't suit him well. We've got to get guys back in their natural positions. Hopefully, with Duke coming back, we can do that and guys will be more comfortable in their roles."

The Lopes rank in the national bottom 50 for turnovers per game (15.5), defensive rebounds per game (22.0), assist-to-turnover ratio (49 to 62), 3-point shooting (27.8%), opponent field goal shooting (48.2%), opponent 3-point shooting (42.3%) and bench points per game (10.8).

"A lot of this is executing what we practice and carrying it over to the game," Drew said. "If we can do that like we did for parts of (the UC Davis) game, we look like a good team. When we don't, it doesn't matter how talented some of our players are. Hopefully, this is a lesson learned."