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M Basketball
11-1-09
GCU Routed by Kentucky Wesleyan 
The Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team had just five 3-point field goals in the game as it lost, 71-49, to Kentucky Wesleyan College in third-day action at the Disney Tip-Off Classic tonight in Anaheim, Calif.
The ‘Lopes now are 0-3 on the season, having been defeated in each of their games in Anaheim.
The Panthers (2-1), who blew out Western Washington University yesterday, jumped out to a 32-7 lead tonight. Lightning-quick senior point guard Desmond Stephens, one of 12 upperclassmen on Kentucky Wesleyan’s roster, had 10 points to lead the initial charge. GCU went on a 16-0 run to close the gap to nine, though, and Kentucky Wesleyan scored the final two points in the half to make the score 38-23.
The ‘Lopes had just two 2-point field goals in the half. They shot 4-of-20 (20 percent), including 2-of-9 on three-pointers, and had 11 turnovers to the Panthers’ five. Thirteen made free throws kept them in the game. Kentucky Wesleyan was successful on seven of their 14 three-point attempts (50 percent) in the opening period.
The second half started almost as poorly for GCU as did the first, as Kentucky Wesleyan went on an 18-3 run highlighted by guard Marico Stinson’s three 3-pointers. ‘Lopes head coach Russ Pennell turned to a lineup of three freshmen and the only two seniors on the team, and the result was increased energy and three 3-pointers by freshman guard Steven Morin (pictured, Scottsdale, AZ/Saguaro), who also had one trey in the first half and finished with a career-high 13 points.
M Basketball
10-31-09
They waited for the call that never came.
That’s how the game ended for the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team as it lost, 60-58, to San Francisco State University in second-day action in the Disney Tip-Off Classic today in Anaheim, Calif.
Antelopes sophomore guard Nick Witherill (Phoenix, AZ/Highland) took a jump shot from the left side as the game clock was about to expire. It was an air ball, but Witherill appeared to have been fouled while shooting. GCU head coach Russ Pennell and the ‘Lopes bench looked to the referees, expecting the call to be made, but instead the officials ran off the court and the teams shook hands before heading to their locker rooms.
It was another learning lesson for the young GCU team, and the main thing the players will take away from this game is that they have to take advantage of opportunities when they occur.
The score was tied six times and the lead changed four times in the game, and the ‘Lopes had plenty of chances to win. They couldn’t make shots when they needed them most, however, and as a result they’ll enter their game tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. Arizona time) against Kentucky Wesleyan College, which walloped Western Washington in the first game today, still seeking their first win of the very young season.
M Basketball
10-30-09
Guard Derrick Webb scored 23 points and forward Michael Duty and guard Morris Anderson had 19 points apiece to lead the Western Washington University men's basketball team to a 94-70 win over Grand Canyon University in first-day action at the Disney Tip-Off Classic tonight in Anaheim, Calif.
It was the first game of the season for both teams. It also was the Antelopes' first game under new head coach Russ Pennell, who was the interim head coach at the University of Arizona last season and led the Wildcats to a 21-14 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16.
GCU's roster includes seven Division I transfers, three freshmen who turned down Division I scholarship offers and four other talented freshmen, but with a completely new team -- not one player or coach returned from last season -- and a very early start to the season, Pennell and his staff had just two weeks from when practice started on Oct. 15 to get their team ready to play the defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions. And their relative inexperience -- Webb, Duty and Anderson are among seven seniors on Western Washington's roster -- showed, although not for most of the first half.
Neither team led by more than three for the first 17 minutes.
M Basketball
10-30-09
Grand Canyon University men's basketball fans are one click away from listening to all the live action of this weekend's Disney Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif.
Bring in the "New Era" of Antelope basketball by clicking here or on the team's web site schedule page to the link labeled "Listen, Live!"
Tonight's season-opener against Western Washington is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the team takes on San Francisco State at 2:30 p.m. The classic finale on Sunday pits the Lopes against Kentucky Wesleyan at 8:30 p.m. Phoenix time.
M Basketball
10-26-09
The Grand Canyon University men's basketball team does not have a single returning coach or player from last season. It is completely new. Yet Pacific West Conference coaches clearly believe in the talent of its new head coach, Russ Pennell (pictured, right), his staff and players because they picked the Antelopes to finish second in the Conference in the 2009-10 season.
The predicted order of finish and Preseason All-PacWest teams were announced during PacWest Men's Basketball Media Day today.
BYU-Hawaii, a West Regional finalist last season and the top team in the 2009 Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 ranking, received all nine-first place votes. The Seasiders (27-2) return All-American Lucas Alves (19.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg) in the post and senior point guard Virgil (J.R.) Buensuceso (11.4 ppg), a Cousy Award finalist last season. Both Alves and Buensuceso were named to the Preseason All-PacWest team. Alves was named Preseason PacWest Player of the Year.
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