Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus Purdue Fort Wayne on November 3, 2025 , Win , 90, to, 71
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M Basketball
vs Purdue Fort Wayne
W 90-71
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, November 21
Phoenix, Ariz.
7 p.m.
Grand Canyon
3-2,0-0Mountain West
85
vs
72
Northwestern State
1-5,0-0Southland
1
2
F
Northwestern St.
31
41
72
Grand Canyon
41
44
85
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
Boards, free throws swing win GCU's way
11/21/2025 11:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
Lopes outrebound Demons 41-17, make 30 of 39 free throws
After sitting on the lopsided loss at Saint Louis for five days, Grand Canyon needed to begin a movement in a better direction Friday night.
The steps the Lopes took, whether as small as extra passing or as big as senior guard Jaden Henley's 20-point second half, began moving them in the right direction for next week's step up.
GCU heads to Palm Desert, California, for an Acrisure Classic field that features three other teams that are cumulatively 15-1, but they do with the boost of an 85-72 win against Northwestern State at Global Credit Union Arena.
In a game chopped up by 50 fouls, the Lopes (3-2) made 30 free throws after not reaching 20 in previous games this season. The free throws delivered a lead, and their rebounding kept it by not allowing the Demons an offensive board until 7:18 remained in the game.
GCU head coach Bryce Drew had called for more physical play and ball sharing and received both, leading to the Lopes being ahead by eight or more points for the final 14:22.
Northwestern State's 61.5% second-half shooting will stick with Drew, but steps were made to keep command.
"We have to play way better," Drew said. "I think our guys obviously will be fired up. We do have three more days to hopefully get more comfortable in some areas on the floor to help us cut down some of those turnovers that were unforced.
"At the end of the day, we have to guard one on one. It's probably not going to change dramatically unless the guy sits down in front and doesn't let his guy score. So hopefully, we'll pack our defense."
GCU was able to keep Northwestern State and its top scorer, 6-foot guard Micah Thomas (24 points, 17 in the second half), at bay by shooting 54% from the field in the second half and making 17 of 21 free throws.
Henley had been limited to five first-half minutes after two early fouls, but he finished a turnover-less night with a closer's flourish. When Northwestern State made one final push to cut GCU's lead to 76-68 with 2:10 to go, Henley scored on four consecutive possessions and drew fouls on three of them, including a 3-point fastbreak finish.
As a unique 6-foot-7 point guard, Henley did all of his offensive damage at the rim or free throw line, sometimes combining both. He had a pair of three-point plays, including one where he did a 180-degree spin on contact and made a reverse. Without being fouled, Henley dunked on 6-foot-10 center J.C. Riley Jr.
"I was just letting the game come to me," Henley said. "I feel like sometimes I can be a little bit too aggressive and mess up the flow of the game. I sat for a little bit in the first half with two fouls, so coming in I just wanted to have high energy, pick us up, keep us going and be a leader on the court."
GCU helped itself by limiting Northwestern second chances with a 41-17 rebounding advantages. The Lopes had not outrebounded a Division I opponent by at least 24 since November 2018 against Delaware State.
Lopes graduate power forward Nana Owusu-Anane led that effort with 12 rebounds, his fourth consecutive double-digit rebounding game.
"Rebounding is a big part of the game for us," Drew said. "Nana had 12 rebounds, and that was tremendous on his part with the effort he was giving on every rebound.
"I thought the highlight to take from the night was our rebounding. If you rebound that many, you should win by more."
Drew brought junior guard Dusty Stromer and freshman center Efe Demirel off the bench for the first time this season, and they played two of their better games. Stromer logged 32 minutes and was a plus-14 with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Demirel was more assertive, or "nasty" as Henley put it. He repeatedly got on the rim for dunks or to draw fouls. The 7-foot-1 Turk matched his season scoring high of 11 points in 22 minutes.
"I thought he made some strides," Drew said. "Five for six from the free throw line was really good for him. Three of three from the rebound. Two rebounds in 22 minutes was not very good, but they weren't missing many shots. I thought that was improvement from Efe."
Stomer, Demirel and benchmates Caleb Shaw, a junior guard, and Kaleb Smith, a junior power forward, joined Henley for a second-half lineup that stayed on the floor for eight minutes.
When GCU was getting hurt on the post and by Thomas' drives, Drew went to a 2-3 zone defense that earned a string of defensive stops.
On the other end, the Lopes committed six turnovers in the first nine minutes of the game but only six more in the final 31 minutes.
"In Saint Louis, we didn't really trust ourselves enough," Henley said. "We hit the drawing boards and came out tonight and got a big win.
"The coaches and my teammates stick with me. They trust me with the ball, so I just want to be able to show them that love back and take care of it."
With the Lopes' incorporating more offensive looks with five players out, GCU passed more and assisted on 10 of its 11 first-half made baskets. Henley led the team with four for the game.
With Demirel's 11 and Stromer's 10, GCU won bench scoring 33-15 as Shaw also added eight points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
"Our bench was a huge impact," Drew said. "The 33 bench points were tremendous production."
The Lopes leave Sunday for Palm Desert, California, where they will play in the Acrisure Classic for two CBS Sports Network broadcast games. GCU will face Utah (5-1) on Tuesday at 10 p.m. (Phoenix time) and either Iowa (5-0) or Ole Miss (5-0) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. or 10 p.m.
The steps the Lopes took, whether as small as extra passing or as big as senior guard Jaden Henley's 20-point second half, began moving them in the right direction for next week's step up.
GCU heads to Palm Desert, California, for an Acrisure Classic field that features three other teams that are cumulatively 15-1, but they do with the boost of an 85-72 win against Northwestern State at Global Credit Union Arena.In a game chopped up by 50 fouls, the Lopes (3-2) made 30 free throws after not reaching 20 in previous games this season. The free throws delivered a lead, and their rebounding kept it by not allowing the Demons an offensive board until 7:18 remained in the game.
GCU head coach Bryce Drew had called for more physical play and ball sharing and received both, leading to the Lopes being ahead by eight or more points for the final 14:22.
Northwestern State's 61.5% second-half shooting will stick with Drew, but steps were made to keep command.
"We have to play way better," Drew said. "I think our guys obviously will be fired up. We do have three more days to hopefully get more comfortable in some areas on the floor to help us cut down some of those turnovers that were unforced.
"At the end of the day, we have to guard one on one. It's probably not going to change dramatically unless the guy sits down in front and doesn't let his guy score. So hopefully, we'll pack our defense."
GCU was able to keep Northwestern State and its top scorer, 6-foot guard Micah Thomas (24 points, 17 in the second half), at bay by shooting 54% from the field in the second half and making 17 of 21 free throws.
Henley had been limited to five first-half minutes after two early fouls, but he finished a turnover-less night with a closer's flourish. When Northwestern State made one final push to cut GCU's lead to 76-68 with 2:10 to go, Henley scored on four consecutive possessions and drew fouls on three of them, including a 3-point fastbreak finish.As a unique 6-foot-7 point guard, Henley did all of his offensive damage at the rim or free throw line, sometimes combining both. He had a pair of three-point plays, including one where he did a 180-degree spin on contact and made a reverse. Without being fouled, Henley dunked on 6-foot-10 center J.C. Riley Jr.
"I was just letting the game come to me," Henley said. "I feel like sometimes I can be a little bit too aggressive and mess up the flow of the game. I sat for a little bit in the first half with two fouls, so coming in I just wanted to have high energy, pick us up, keep us going and be a leader on the court."
GCU helped itself by limiting Northwestern second chances with a 41-17 rebounding advantages. The Lopes had not outrebounded a Division I opponent by at least 24 since November 2018 against Delaware State.Lopes graduate power forward Nana Owusu-Anane led that effort with 12 rebounds, his fourth consecutive double-digit rebounding game.
"Rebounding is a big part of the game for us," Drew said. "Nana had 12 rebounds, and that was tremendous on his part with the effort he was giving on every rebound.
"I thought the highlight to take from the night was our rebounding. If you rebound that many, you should win by more."
Drew brought junior guard Dusty Stromer and freshman center Efe Demirel off the bench for the first time this season, and they played two of their better games. Stromer logged 32 minutes and was a plus-14 with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.Demirel was more assertive, or "nasty" as Henley put it. He repeatedly got on the rim for dunks or to draw fouls. The 7-foot-1 Turk matched his season scoring high of 11 points in 22 minutes.
"I thought he made some strides," Drew said. "Five for six from the free throw line was really good for him. Three of three from the rebound. Two rebounds in 22 minutes was not very good, but they weren't missing many shots. I thought that was improvement from Efe."
Stomer, Demirel and benchmates Caleb Shaw, a junior guard, and Kaleb Smith, a junior power forward, joined Henley for a second-half lineup that stayed on the floor for eight minutes.
When GCU was getting hurt on the post and by Thomas' drives, Drew went to a 2-3 zone defense that earned a string of defensive stops.
On the other end, the Lopes committed six turnovers in the first nine minutes of the game but only six more in the final 31 minutes.
"In Saint Louis, we didn't really trust ourselves enough," Henley said. "We hit the drawing boards and came out tonight and got a big win.
"The coaches and my teammates stick with me. They trust me with the ball, so I just want to be able to show them that love back and take care of it."
With the Lopes' incorporating more offensive looks with five players out, GCU passed more and assisted on 10 of its 11 first-half made baskets. Henley led the team with four for the game.
With Demirel's 11 and Stromer's 10, GCU won bench scoring 33-15 as Shaw also added eight points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
"Our bench was a huge impact," Drew said. "The 33 bench points were tremendous production."
The Lopes leave Sunday for Palm Desert, California, where they will play in the Acrisure Classic for two CBS Sports Network broadcast games. GCU will face Utah (5-1) on Tuesday at 10 p.m. (Phoenix time) and either Iowa (5-0) or Ole Miss (5-0) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. or 10 p.m.
Team Stats
NW
GCU
FG%
.481
.490
3FG%
.300
.318
FT%
.667
.769
RB
17
41
TO
10
12
STL
4
3
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
12
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballDusty Stromer smooth from 3
Saturday, November 22
JADEN HENLEY POSTER 😱
Saturday, November 22
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Northwestern State - Highlights
Saturday, November 22
Men's Basketball at Saint Louis - Postgame with Bryce Drew
Thursday, November 20