Wolverines Can’t Keep With Grand Canyon In 71-60 Loss
Jan 3, 2019, 8:11 PM
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Utah Valley’s four-game winning streak came to an end in a 71-60 loss to Grand Canyon to begin WAC conference play.
LOPES WIN! GCU starts @WACsports play on top with an 11-point victory over Utah Valley! #LopesUp pic.twitter.com/JQowrExq78
— GCU Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) January 4, 2019
Twice, once in the first half and once in the second half, the Wolverines fought back from behind to nearly extinguish Grand Canyon’s big lead. But alas, the Antelopes were able to hold on and stay in front for the win.
A layup by Jake Toolson with nine minutes to go in the first half brought the score to 19-18 for Grand Canyon. That was the closet that the Wolverines would get before the Antelopes reeled off an 18-8 run to finish the first half up 37-26.
After trailing by 11 at the break, the Wolverines whittled the Antelopes’ lead down to just one on pair of free throws by Connor Macdougall. But just as they had in the first half, the Antelopes again turned up the heat and extended the lead to double figures again en route to an 11-point victory.
Benjamin Nakwaasah led the Wolverines with 15 points while Baylee Steele chipped in 12 points.
Grand Canyon had three players in double figures. Matt Jackson turned in 19 points. Alessandro Lever added 14 points while Carlos Johnson contributed 10 points.
That’s a career-high for @MattJ250! 💯 pic.twitter.com/kKu60JToDJ
— GCU Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) January 4, 2019
UVU will continue WAC play with a trip to CSU Bakersfield on Saturday. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. and be broadcast on the WAC Digital Network.
