For both GCU and Utah Valley, Saturday was a big day. For the Lopes, getting a little revenge was on the bucket list in a trip to the high plains. And for Utah Valley, it was a must-win situation at the UCCU Center.
And both teams got the job done on Saturday afternoon.
Rayshon Harrison had a team-high 21 points to lead GCU to a true road win, 66-58, over Wyoming at Arena-Auditorium. The win is even bigger considering the Lopes were without WAC Preseason Player of the Year Jovan Blacksher Jr.
Gabe McGlothan had 14 points and five rebounds and Josh Baker was also in double figures with 11 points.
They key came early in the second half. Hunter Maldonaldo, who torched the Lopes in Phoenix last season, scored six early points in the second half. Maldonaldo’s last points came with 15:37 remaining and Wyoming leading 42-37.
A pair of 3-point plays from from Josh Baker and Aidan Igiehon gave GCU a 44-42 lead with 12:54 to play. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Hunter Thompson and Jake Kyman gave Wyoming the lead right back with 9:49 to play.
Chance McMillian responded with a 3-pointer of his own to tie the ball game. And GCU did not trail again at Arena-Auditorium.
THE GABE STEAL. THE YVAN HUSTLE. THE RAY FINISH. 💥@bigtimeray0 has been 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗨𝗗𝗘 today. pic.twitter.com/351ZuSXJBe
— Grand Canyon Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) December 3, 2022
On the very next GCU possession, Yvan Ouedraogo’s dunk put GCU ahead for good.
Ray Harrison’s 3-point play with just over two minutes remaining was the icing on the cake for the Lopes.
With the win, GCU improves to 7-2 overall and will host Loyola Marymount on Wednesday.
Offense Comes Alive for Wolverines
Coming into Saturday, Utah Valley had not played a complete game…at least on the offensive end. But, following a horrendous start which saw the Wolverines turn the ball over four times in their first five possessions, something finally clicked.
Out of a quick timeout, Justin Harmon and Aziz Bandaogo threw down two dunks and Utah Valley went on a 20-2 run to to take a 20-10 lead. And the offense never let up.
Le’Tre Darthard was lights out from the perimeter, going 6-10 from deep for a game-high 25 points. Justin Harmon and Trey Woodbury each finished with 19 points. And Aziz Bandaogo had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Utah Valley knocked down 11 3-pointers in the contest. And in the second half, three straight 3-pointers courtesy of Justin Harmon and Le’Tre Darthard, put the game out of reach. The 3-pointers came on three straight possessions and gave Utah Valley a 12-point lead with just over 10 minutes to play.
Tone Hunter’s free throws with just over five minutes to play cut the deficit to eight. And Lassina Traore’s 3-pointer on the following possession cut the deficit to six.
But, Le’Tre Darthard answered with another 3-pointer to push the lead back to nine.
Another THREEE by Le'Tre Darthard!!#GoUVU #UVU #ProtectTheDen #NCAA #WAC #D1 #basketball #college #ballislife pic.twitter.com/gQ7BURjvep
— UVU Men’s Basketball (@UVUmbb) December 3, 2022
And from there, it was simply about hitting free throws for the Wolverines. Utah Valley went 5-6 down the stretch from the charity stripe to seal the 88-78 win.
The Wolverines turned the ball over 14 times. Four of those came in the first two minutes. Utah Valley also had 24 assists on 31 made baskets.
The Wolverines head down University Parkway on Wednesday to take on BYU in the UCCU Crosstown Showdown at the Marriott Center.
With the win, Utah Valley improves to 4-4 overall.
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