More points, Moore Defense Key comfortable victory

It is difficult to catch up with Grand Canyon if the Lopes never let go.

The GCU took care of the ball, existed and shot well, showed balance and depth and was defensive to control most of the 85-71 victory from Thursday evening against UT Arlington.

Whenever the Mavericks penetrated, the Lopes (21-6, 11-2) showed the willingness of March by running away again to keep a two-digit lead in the last 16 1/2 minutes.

The GCU held the victory in a game by WAC leader Utah Valley (20-7, 12: 1) with three regular season games. If the Lopes have bound the Wolverines, the GCU would likely receive the WAC tournament No. 1 seed on the basis of WAC metrics for the WAC life's seed system.

Play a second game without an injured star Tyon Grant FosterThe Lopes brought four goal scorers into two numbers and were funded by a career game by Senior Guard Collin Moore.

While Moore scored 16 points, Moore set career height for assists (seven) and Steals (six) to illustrate how well the GCU offensive (20 assists, nine sales) prompted and defensive chaos (14 steals, an opponent of the division I).

“It was so much fun to see how Collin has the night he did” Bryce moved said. “He was just great to get into his hands into the balls, to get out and end in the transition. I thought it was his full game of the year that he was filling and winning the stat leaf in a positive way.

For his last theft, Moore used his long range to remove the dribble of Ut Arlington Point Guard Robinson and take a Breemay slam while he was hit with Guardian Darius Burfords flagrant foul.

The sequence was summarized in a six-point ownership with Moores two free throws and Senior Power Forward Jakobe Coles' Layup. The run ended with 13-0 with the second security guard Makaih Williams Beat a 3 pointer against his former team for an 81-58 lead, the greatest tour of the GCU, with 3:25.

“We are on a role and were more connected to this game,” said Moore. “I'm just waiting for Tyon to come back so that we can be more connected.

“I was just trying to play hard and win out there. That is the main focus.”

Senior Guard Ray Harrison led the Lopes with 19 points, the same total that he achieved to win GCU 12 days earlier at UT Arlington. He has an average of 18 points in 52% in the last three games and also delivered six templates without sales on Thursday.

Coles added 13 points and eight rebounds, and the GCU received a required thrust from Sophomore Guard Caleb Shaw Replacement of Grant-Foster's wing rating. Shaw made every six field gate attempts, including three 3 points, 15 points with five rebounds and two steals.

Shaws eight consecutive points on two 3s and a Fastbreak Reverse -Layup GCU gave the lead for good in the first half. He also grabbed two steals and interrupted the victory with another Havoc rollicking slam.

“The whole In week I tried to get additional work in the gym and do my shot right, “said Shaw, a 41% 3-point shooter this season.” When I came out there and saw the first, it was only a lot of self -confidence and the tire got really big. “

In a game without fouls, the GCU has raised the slightest number of free throws (eight) against an opponent of division I since his NCAA tournament in the first round against Gonzaga, when it took seven free throws.

UT Arlington (13-15, 6-8 WAC) used a Matchup zone defense that switched between men and zone within possessions. The GCU made four of its sales in the first five owners of the second half, but was otherwise outstanding and shot 48% out of the field.

“We love to see 20 templates on 34 fields made,” said Drew. “We love to see single -digit sales. If you are late in the year, you have to have ball handling if you want to win games. It was a great step in the right direction of what we have to take.”