Leading into this game, it was all about the "revenge narrative" says Senior Forward Jakobe Coles pictured above. I asked him post-game if players put extra emphasis on a game like tonight. "Of course we do!" he said.
GCU routs the Lancers. In the first half
Coles had 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 35 minutes on Saturday night. Early on in the game, it looked like it would be all Lopes in Phoenix. The Lancers scored first on a deep 3-point shot by Martell Williams, but that was the last time they would ever lead in the game.
The Lopes took the lead at 19:06 in the first half and didn't surrender the lead throughout. Once GCU took the lead, Senior Leaders Coles and Harrison put their foot on the gas propelling GCU to a 41-30 lead at halftime. Ranking 56th in the country on the defensive end of the court, GCU knew that they had to lock in on that side of the ball in this rematch vs CBU. Pre-game, Coach Casey Shaw talked about the importance of "prevent defense" in the post. He had coached up the boys to play off the ball and have active hands in the lance. Just two weeks ago, CBU put up 85 points on the Lopes which was good for 2nd most this season, only behind Arizona State who scored 87 on the Lopes in November.
Ray Harrison looked like the leader that everyone expected him to be this season. From facilitating the offense to getting back on the defensive side of the ball and showing the Lancers what it was going to take to beat them. Harrison had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. In 34 minutes, Harrison did all that he could do to will the Lopes to victory.
The Second half from Hell
The Lopes started the second half the same way they ended the first. A Jakobe Coles layup and the boys were off and running. Over the next 10 minutes, GCU fans would see their lead balloon to 22 points in the second half. Fans were taking a sigh of relief after watching this team lose by 15 points just two weeks ago in Riverside. If you were a sports bettor, you were feeling really good about your GCU -10.5 and U134.5 total points.
UNTIL the 10:41 point in the 2nd half.
The train came off the tracks and GCU was headed down a mountain with no breaks. After the lead ballooning to 22, GCU scored 5 points in the last 10:41 while the Lancers scored 23. A mix of offensive turnovers, a closed basket, and stellar defense from the Lancers made this game way to close for comfort. GCU had 17 turnovers in this game, with 12 of them coming in the second half and 9 of them in the final 10 minutes.
With 54 seconds left, the Lancers inbound the ball down 4 points with a chance to go two-for-one. Lopes fans hold their breath. Tylan Riley drives the lane and cuts the deficit in half with 42 seconds to go. GCU timeout so Bryce Drew can draw up a play for the offense to close this game out. With 42 seconds left on the clock, the Lancers are going to get a shot to tie or win if GCU can't extend the lead back to 4. Out of the timeout, Ray Harrison dribbles up the court, drives the lane, and takes a jumper that rims out. 14 seconds left and GCU fans hold their breath as Tylan Riley drives up the court with the chance to tie or win the game. Riley puts up the jumper from about 13 feet out as he opts to tie vs try to win the game.
Lopes fans close their eyes as they have seen this one too many times. LOPES WIN LOPES WIN is the next thing fans hear as Riley's shot is short off the front of the rim and Duke Brennan comes down with his 12th rebound of the game.
Post Game:
After the game, the question that everyone wanted to know was answered. "Where is Tyon Grant Foster" - Brennan Williams of Go Lopes Radio asked Bryce Drew as he entered the the film room in the GCU practice gym. Per Bryce Drew, he tweaked his ankle in the game last Saturday vs UTA, and keeping him out of the game was more of a precaution than any real concern. Drew said that Tyon would go back for some additional testing this week before deciding on his future.
With three games left before #WACVEGAS, the Lopes are practically locked into the 2-seed as they hold a 2.5-game lead on 3rd place and are 1.5 games back on Utah Valley. Unless the Lopes get some help from ACU, Tarleton, or Southern Utah, GCU will play its first-round game vs the #7 seed. Who at this point is Seattle University, who the Lopes beat by 9 on their home court just a month ago.
GCU finishes off its conference schedule at home vs UTA and Utah Tech before hitting the road vs Seattle and ACU. GCU always plays Utah Tech well, but the slate of Seattle, ACU, and UTA to finish the season is a gauntlet. All of these teams play very aggressively and are all in the log jam in the middle of the WAC where just 1/2 a game separates 3rd seed from 8th seed currently. There are absolutely no breaks between now and WAC Vegas.
I asked Ray Harrison how you prepare the young guys for WAC Vegas. Being under the lights in Vegas always poses an issue. Pair that with the fact that you have to win 3 games in 3 days doesn't make that pressure any less. "You just have to get your mind right. I am going to keep my head up that way when they look my way, they know I'm up. If I'm up, they should start feeling up" Harrison said post-game.
Tune in as I provide game by game coverage for the Lopes for the remainder of the season and into the tournament.
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