Youthful bench readies for chances Saturday night

Saturday, Dec. 7 \| 6 p.m. \| Global Credit Union Arena \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	LIFE PACIFIC WARRIORS (4-2)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (5-2)

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Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew is blessed with one of the most experienced and talented eight-man rotations in the nation.

But whether it be foul trouble, injuries or in-game ruts, the Lopes are better when they are able to go deeper. GCU hopes to tap into more of its youthful reserve Saturday when the Lopes play Life Pacific at 6 p.m. in Global Credit Union Arena.

GCU sophomore guards Makaih Williams and Caleb Shaw already have played in each game this season, but Williams is looking to shake off only the second scoreless game of his career while Shaw's time has decreased recently.

The touted freshman trio of center Austin Maurer, point guard Styles Phipps and forward Sammie Yeanay have been sprinkled into the mix at varying portions, but the Lopes would like to pursue a fourth consecutive win while getting more experience for them and more rest for their starters.

Williams is the most established bench player after starting last season at UT Arlington and the first two games this season, when GCU graduate Tyon Grant-Foster was out. He had played 20 or more minutes in each game until Tuesday's scoreless night against Hawai'i.

Caleb Shaw

Shaw averaged 17 minutes per game for Northern Colorado in 2022-23 before redshirting last season at GCU. His playing time this season has dropped to 7.7 minutes per game since the Lopes roster returned to full strength with junior center Duke Brennan coming back from injury three games ago.

Shaw, at 6 feet 6, has played every position except center for GCU and made 4 of 11 attempts from 3-point range. He plays with high-energy activity, tallying 23 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals, a blocked shot and 10 turnovers.

He began the season by scoring nine points before fouling out in 18 minutes against Cal State Fullerton.

"We're trying to get that second group in rhythm," Shaw said. "When you've got young guys, it's always better to just get reps. It's hard to go in and try to make an impact, but I'm just trying to get better at it each game. I'm not coming in with any nerves. I'm just trying to ball."

Styles Phipps

Phipps, a 6-foot-2 graduate of Phoenix St. Mary's High School, earned a backup point guard role with his offseason improvement in play and strength. He has 14 points, five steals and three assists in 44 minutes. He also made his first 3-point shot Tuesday against Hawai'i.

"When the opportunity comes, you have to be ready to go when your name is called," Phipps said. "Next man up. Being on the court more and more, you get more comfortable. Seeing shots go in builds confidence.

"I'm trying to bring energy off the bench, whether it's on defense or rebounding. The good thing about coming off the bench is you see how the game is flowing. So when you go in, you know what to do."

Like Phipps, Maurer has appeared in six of the seven games. The 7-foot Oregonian made his first bucket Tuesday in dramatic fashion, when senior guard Collin Moore threw him an alleyoop pass that Maurer slammed to give GCU its largest lead, 37-19, against Hawai'i.

Austin Maurer

Maurer, who was Oregon's Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school senior, can be a rim protector and showed his shooting range by making a 3-point shot in the exhibition home game.

"It's a great environment to be in," Maurer said. "It just makes every little thing that much more fun. In the month or more that we've been playing games, I'm a lot more comfortable when I do get in games. I feel like I can play my game now, and it's slowing down. I'm getting in rhythm. It's just a different speed and physicality."

Yeanay is a high-potential freshman with strength and skill at 6-8. He has played in three games so far, but he is also part of the Lopes' second team that gives the first unit fits at times in practices and scrimmages.

"We just play really, really hard and we play together," Shaw said. "We've been playing together since the summer, so we have a feel for each other and how each one of us plays."

Saturday, Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | Global Credit Union Arena | Phoenix, Ariz.

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Players Mentioned

Duke Brennan

Tyon Grant-Foster

Austin Maurer

Collin Moore

Styles Phipps

Caleb Shaw

Makaih Williams

Sammie Yeanay

Grand Canyon University Athletics