In a battle of the two highest ranked teams in the Western Athletic Conference, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team faced Grand Canyon University on Jan. 4. SUU battled strong and led late in the second half, but GCU prevailed, winning 82-71.
With the loss, Southern Utah has now lost five-straight and is 8-7 on the year. Grand Canyon improves to 11-4 on the season.
First half
GCU started strong in the first four minutes of play, with Tyon Grant-Foster hitting two threes and giving the Lopes the early 13-5 lead. Every time Southern Utah would shorten the lead, Grand Canyon would respond.
Late in the half, guard Tavi Jackson hit a layup, cutting the Lopes lead to 10 at half. GCU shot 8/12 from three and held SUU to just 36.1% shooting from the field and led the Thunderbirds 41-31.
Second half
Southern Utah came out firing in the half. Going on a 14-7 run over the first six minutes to play and cutting the lead to just three. Over the next six minutes, it was back and forth, neither team gaining an advantage.
With eight minutes to play, Dominique Ford completed a three-point play followed by Jamari Sibley making a three on the next possession, giving SUU the one-point lead. Grand Canyon responded with a 10-1 run nearly putting the game to rest. Southern Utah battled hard but ended up falling short 82-71.
Key statistics
— Grant-Foster led all scorers with 23 points.
— Grand Canyon outrebounded Southern Utah 45-32.
— For the sixth-straight game, Ford scored 10 or more points.
— Jackson had a season-high nine assists for SUU.
What’s next?
SUU will be back home to take on Tarleton State University on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m., in the America First Event Center. This game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Copy Editor: Isaac Allen
