Kansas City
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Pulls Away from UMKC in Second Half, 72-53
2/1/2014 11:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – Grand Canyon used the three-point shot, and pulled away from Kansas City in the second period on Saturday night at Municipal Auditorium, hitting a season-high 13 of them on the way to a 72-53 win.
UMKC (7-14, 4-4 WAC) was right with the 'Lopes (11-10, 6-2 WAC) in the opening half, with three ties and three lead changes. After a 9-6 lead for the guests early, the 'Roos went on a 7-0 rally to take a 13-9 advantage, their largest of the game, with 13:34 on the clock. GCU went on a 10-0 run though, and got their advantage up to as many as nine with 7:05 to play to take control.
Kansas City really stepped up the defensive intensity in the final four minutes of the half though, and chipped the advantage down to just two, while allowing only two points from the 'Lopes during the stretch. Freshman Jacobby Bledsoe hit a jumper at the buzzer to help UMKC go into the break down just 33-31.
The 'Lopes lived by the three in the period, going 7-of-17, while hitting 42 percent from the floor. The 'Roos played inside a bit more, shooting 54 percent and taking an 18-12 advantage in points in the paint. GCU took advantage of turnovers though, scoring 12 points off seven UMKC miscues. Jerome Garrison led all scorers with 10, while Kansas City was led by Nelson Kirksey with seven points among eight 'Roos that scored.
The final half proved to be all about shooting, as UMKC couldn't buy a jumper. All of the field goals the 'Roos hit in the half were from inside the paint, going 0-of-8 from outside the lane. GCU on the other hand, remained red-hot from three, hitting 6-of-11 in the stanza, and pushed the lead to 10 within the first five minutes.
Kansas City could only get as close as seven the rest of the way, while Grand Canyon pulled away in the final five minutes, going up by 15 with 4:28 on the clock.
The Antelopes shot a blistering 57 percent in the second half, while UMKC was held to only 38 percent. GCU was 46 percent from three in the game, at 13-of-28, while the 'Roos were 3-of-13. GCU also tallied 22 points off turnovers and had 13 second-chance points as well. Kansas City had 42 of its 54 points from inside the paint and at the free throw line.
Martez Harrison led the 'Roos with 17 points, while Kirksey was the only other in double figures with 11 on the night. The 'Lopes were led by Garrison with 20, while Daniel Alexander tallied 17 points. GCU also had a 31-26 advantage on the glass.
The 'Roos are back on the road for the next three games, starting with Chicago State next Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
