Grand Canyon Lopes Secure Dominant Victory Over IU Indy, Henley Reaches 1,000-Point Milestone
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A resounding 91-78 win over IU Indy on Monday night capped off a successful pre-break stretch for the Grand Canyon Lopes, fueled by stellar performances from senior guard jaden Henley and graduate guard Brian Moore Jr. The victory, witnessed by an overflow crowd of 7,291 fans at global Credit Union Arena, marks the Lopes’ third consecutive win and a positive trajectory as they head into their first mountain West season.
Lopes Capitalize on Fast Pace and Free Throw Opportunities
The Grand Canyon University (GCU) men’s basketball team (8-4) effectively exploited the Jaguars’ aggressive style of play, turning their nation-leading pace and high foul rate against them. According to head coach Bryce Drew, “our guys persevered…I thought they showed a lot of heart tonight in this game.” The Lopes outscored IU Indy by eight points on fastbreaks, holding the Jaguars 12 points below their season average of 19, and dominated at the free-throw line, converting 26 of 30 attempts for a 17-point advantage. This performance contributed to their highest-scoring game of the season.
Henley Reaches Milestone, Moore Shines
Henley led the Lopes with 22 points, surpassing the 1,000-point mark for his career. Moore’s impact extended beyond scoring, as he contributed three assists and only one turnover in 33 minutes of play. Drew acknowledged a scheduling misstep, admitting that facing a rested IU Indy team immediately after a hard-fought win at Wyoming on Saturday was a mistake. Though, Moore’s performance belied any fatigue. He emphasized his commitment to the team’s success, telling GCU assistant coach Matt Lottich, “Right now, I’m in the space where I’m just trying to do whatever to help us win.”
Lopes Overcome Second-Half Pressure
IU Indy (4-10) mounted a challenge in the second half,employing relentless full-court pressure that forced nine GCU turnovers and narrowed the Lopes’ led to 67-64 following consecutive 3-pointers from Maguire Mitchell. However, a technical foul assessed to Mitchell for taunting proved pivotal, awarding two free throws to junior guard Dusty Stromer. Stromer capitalized, sinking a 3-pointer that ignited a 15-2 run for GCU, effectively sealing the victory.
Stromer and Williams Provide key Contributions
Dusty Stromer made three 3-pointers in a single game for the first time as a Lope,contributing 11 points to the offensive surge. drew highlighted Stromer’s improved shooting form, noting, “He’s shooting the ball way better…His pace is a lot smoother right now.” Junior guard Makaih Williams also continued his strong play, following up a season-high-tying 20 points at Wyoming with 11 points in the first half.
Depth and Team Chemistry Emerging
The Lopes showcased notable depth, with five players scoring in double figures – Henley, Moore, Stromer, Williams, and freshman center Efe Demirel, who added 11 points and eight rebounds. Drew observed a growing cohesion within the team, stating, “The last three games, I feel like they’re really starting to know each other better and feeling more comfortable with what we’re doing.” This improved team chemistry appears to be a key factor in their recent success, dating back to a Thanksgiving week win against Utah.
Looking Ahead to Mountain West Play
The Lopes will now enjoy a Christmas break before resuming their inaugural Mountain West season on January 3rd against Colorado State (9-3). moore acknowledged the competitiveness of the conference, stating, “It’s a good conference…If we win a lot of games, we’ve still got a chance to get an at-large even if we don’t win (the conference tournament).” Henley echoed this sentiment,emphasizing the team’s dedication to preparation: “We have a team that works so hard…We know guys are going to be in the gym to be prepared mentally and physically,doing whatever it takes to be ready to go.”
