Lopes Rally Falls Short in Loss to Cougars

Thursday, February 26

Chicago, IL

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-516-13; WAC

Chicago State

3-97-22; WAC

Team	1	2	F
Grand Canyon University	26	44	70
Chicago State	39	35	74

Alexander scored 14 tonight.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

2/26/2015 7:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Grand Canyon started slowly and despite a spirited comeback attempt in the second half, fell 74-70 to Chicago State at the Jones Convocation Center in Chicago, Ill.

The Antelopes fell to 16-13 overall, 7-5 in the Western Athletic Conference. The loss created a three-way tie for second between GCU, Kansas City and Bakersfield. Chicago State improved to 7-22, 3-9 in the conference.

Click here for assistant coach T.J. Benson's interview with Michael Potter.

The Lopes dug a hole and were behind by 19 at 45-26 just 1:30 into the second half before mounting a rally that nearly stole the game.

Daniel Alexander scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, including a three with 8:32 left in the game that brought the Antelopes within 56-54.

The Cougars would later up their lead to 69-63 with just 1:52 remaining. DeWayne Russell then drove the length of the floor for a layup and then scored again on a layup as the Lopes stole the CSU inbounds pass.

Needing a stop, down 69-67 with 1:37 left, the Antelopes forced two missed Cougar shots, but allowed two offensive boards that eventually led to a foul that sent the Cougars back to the line, ending their chances of a victory.

Joshua Braun was the leading scorer for GCU with 15 points. Royce Woolridge scored 12.

The Antelopes outshot the Cougars, 42.9% to 41.9%, losing for only the second time when they outshot than their opponent (14-2). GCU shot 32.1 (9-for-28) percent in the opening half and 53.6 percent (15-for-28) in the second half.

Grand Canyon will play their final WAC regular season road game on Saturday when they face Kansas City at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (Arizona time) and can be heard on live by tuning in to KXXT 1010 AM Family Values Radio (also via the KXXT "TuneIn Radio" App).

CSU 74 GCU 70