Rapid recap: GCU 66, California Baptist 64

Grand Canyon built a 20-point lead and needed to stave off a California Baptist comeback down the stretch for a 66-64 victory Saturday night at Global Credit Union Arena.

Playing their first home game in three weeks, the Lopes (20-6, 10-2 WAC) won their third consecutive game to stay within one game of Utah Valley (20-7, 12-1 WAC) in the loss column.

GCU built its largest lead of the game, 61-41, with 10:35 remaining in the game but sabotaged its finish with turnovers. California Baptist worked the lead down to 66-64 and had possession with 14 seconds to go. Lancers guard Tylen Riley missed a pull-up shot, and CBU power forward Kendal Johnson could not get to a tip-in chance before the buzzer.

Key player

GCU senior guard Ray Harrison scored 16 points and made only one turnover in 34 minutes of action.

Harrison followed up his 19-point game Saturday at UT Arlington with a 6-for-13 shooting game, including 2 for-4 accuracy on 3-pointers. He also was 3 for 7 on 3s at UT Arlington and is now shooting 38% from 3-point range on the season.

Key moment

The Lopes opened the games like they finished the win at UT Arlingotn on Saturday, when the scored on the final 12 possessions. Against California Baptist, GCU scored on six consecutive possessions at the outset to take a 13-5 lead. The Lopes maintained a lead for the final 38 minutes of the game, pumping the lead to 61-41 at one point after a stretch in which junior center Duke Brennan scored on a follow and a 3-point play.

Key statistic

GCU kept California Baptist to five offensive rebounds after allow the Lancers to grab 14 offensive rebounds when the Lopes lost at CBU two weeks ago.

GCU outscored CBU 14-4 in second-chance points with Brennan grabbing six of the Lopes' 10 offensive rebounds.

Quotable

Lopes head coach Bryce Drew: "abc ."

What's next?

GCU will stay home to play UT Arlington on Thursday after beating the Mavericks 82-75 on the road Feb. 13. UT Arlington defated Tarleton State 67-57 at home Saturday night.

Return to GCULopes.com later tonight for Paul Coro's updated game recap with more details and reactions from Lopes head coach Bryce Drew and players.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Key player

Harrison followed up his 19-point game Saturday at UT Arlington with a 6-for-13 shooting game, including 2 for-4 accuracy on 3-pointers. He also was 3 for 7 on 3s at UT Arlington and is now shooting 38% from 3-point range on the season. Key moment

Key statistic

Quotable

What's next?

Players Mentioned

Duke Brennan

Ray Harrison

Related Videos

Harrison followed up his 19-point game Saturday at UT Arlington with a 6-for-13 shooting game, including 2 for-4 accuracy on 3-pointers. He also was 3 for 7 on 3s at UT Arlington and is now shooting 38% from 3-point range on the season.

Key moment