(Phoenix, AZ) Grand Canyon started their 2021-22 season tonight at the Arena against Western New Mexico University.
The Antelopes were the only Arizona University to be selected to the NCAA Basketball Tournament last March. They battled the #2 seed Iowa Hawkeyes before falling in the first round as a #15 seed.
The team was presented their rings for the 2019-20 as WAC Season and Tournament Champions.
This was also the return of the fans and a full house at the Arena. Last year with Covid protocols in place, a limited student section were the only people in attendance.
This year is the second season for Head Coach Bryce Drew as he begins to infuse his own recruits into the program.
As expected, the Lopes pushed the ball on almost every possession trying to create mismatches.
Canyon came out running and banging the boards. At the 9:12 point of the first half they led 24-12 behind forward Yvan Ouedraogo’s 11 points on 4-6 shooting. Jovan Blacksher Jr had 7 points on 3-5 shooting from the field.
Western New Mexico was already grabbing their shorts around the seven minute mark as the Antelopes kept the pedal down.
Coach Drew has this squad spreading the court, reversing the pass, screening and cut.
The Mustangs spent the majorly of the time just trying to get Canyon’s lead under double digits.
The Lopes defense was swarming and created 8 turnovers, but had 12 themselves. Most of them trying to push the break when it wasn’t necessarily there.
WNMU failed to hit a three pointer going 0-12 from beyond the arc.
Lopes went into halftime with a 43-28 lead.
Western New Mexico never found their rhythm on offense going 11-37 from the field (30%), while the hometown Antelopes went 16-31 (52%) in the first half. GCU added four treys on nine attempts.
Rebounding was as lopsided at the score with Canyon holding a decisive 30-17 advantage.
GCU’s tw0-headed monster of Blacksher Jr and Ouedraogo continued their hot shooting into the second half with a combined 21 points on 8-15 shooting from the field at the 16:30 mark.
In the midway in the second half, the Antelopes extended their lead to twenty one 55-34 courtesy of a 7-0 run.
Meanwhile, WNMU had 4 turnovers in two minutes and went without a field goal for 4:50 until they hit their second three point shot of the game with 14:05 to go in the game.
With 9:09 to go, GCU led 65-40 and forced a Mustang timeout. Western’s shooting woes continued at their percentage plummeted to 25% on 14-55.
GCU also had some concerns with 20 turnovers and a mediocre 64% (9-14) free throw shooting with 7:30 left in the game.
The Lopes were in control throughout the contest as their lead continued to grow 73-47 at the 5:15 mark.
Coach Drew’s depth will be an asset during the seasons barring injuries. He called off the dogs with around 4:30 left and inserted the backups.
The reserves continued where the starters left off 83-54 and another Mustang timeout with 1:29 to go.
Western New Mexico had only one player in double figures with 12 points.
Sparing the Mustangs a slow painful death, they sliced and diced their way to a 85-59 win in which WNMU never new what hit them.
Blacksher Jr led the team with 13 points and 3-6 on three pointers. Ouedraogo finished with 11 and shooting 60% from the field and Woods added 10 points.
In all, twelve players scored tonight, displaying the depth that Canyon will roll with.
The team will get a break until November 9th when Grambling State comes knocking. Game time is 7 pm.
