Sunday, January 19
Kansas City, MO
4:00 PM
Kansas City
9-11,2-4WAC
66
vs
69
Grand Canyon
7-11,2-2WAC
1
2
F
Grand Canyon
36
33
69
Kansas City
32
34
66
Free Throws the Difference Late in Men's Basketball Loss
1/19/2020 4:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Grand Canyon made six-of-six free throws in the final 30 seconds and defeated Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-11, 2-4), 69-66, this afternoon at the Swinney Center. Freshman Josiah Allick ended with a career-high 13 rebounds and added 11 points for his second career double-double. Junior Brandon McKissic recorded all 16 of his team-high points in the second half to help the Kansas City late push.
Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Javan White for the third-straight game, the Roos had Grand Canyon (7-11, 2-2) on the ropes late after a Brandon McKissic three-pointer. That bucket brought the hosts back to a one-point deficit (65-64) with 11 seconds remaining.
However, every time Kansas City scored, Grand Canyon had an answer from the free throw line and the Lopes finished out the victory.
The game today was originally scheduled for Saturday, but Grand Canyon was unable to arrive into Kansas City until Saturday due to inclement weather traveling from Chicago State, where the Lopes had a Thursday night game.
Senior Jordan Giles hit for his ninth game of double-digit points with 13 today, including the sixth in his last seven games. Coming into the game, Giles ranked seventh in conference games averaging 16.2 points, up from his 9.9 season average. Also, he was tied for sixth in field goal shooting at 55.6 percent. Today, he shot 5-of-9 overall.
The game started with a fast pace, with very few stoppages in play. There were just two whistles in the first six minutes – a violation and out-of-bounds – before the first foul was assessed at the 14:06 mark. During the first media timeout at 14:29, the stats were nearly identical with the 4-4 score. Both teams shot 2-of-7, including 0-of-3 from downtown, grabbed five rebounds and turned the ball over twice.
The Lopes led by as many as seven in the first half by a 25-18 score at the 5:18 mark. Grand Canyon thought they had a seven-point lead at the half after a 3-pointer was initially ruled successful. But after the official reviewed the play, the call was reversed and the Roos trailed 36-32 at the half.
A Giles lay-up on Kansas City's first possession of the second half brought the Roos to within 36-34. From there, Grand Canyon went on a 12-4 run to go up 48-38 at the 14:39 mark.
The Roos again had a response, this time with Brandon McKissic's three-point conversion at the 8:19 mark. That basket capped a 13-3 run and the score was tied at 51-51.
Down 60-53, McKissic had five-straight points to get back to 60-58. But the Lopes, who were picked second in the WAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, made their shots against the aggressive Kansas City defense.
For Grand Canyon, Mikey Dixon led all scorers with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Carlos Johnson chipped in 18 points. Jovan Blacksher Jr. had 10 rebounds.
The Roos next play on Saturday, Jan. 25 at California Baptist with a 9 p.m. CT start.
Quick Hitters:
Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Javan White for the third-straight game, the Roos had Grand Canyon (7-11, 2-2) on the ropes late after a Brandon McKissic three-pointer. That bucket brought the hosts back to a one-point deficit (65-64) with 11 seconds remaining.
However, every time Kansas City scored, Grand Canyon had an answer from the free throw line and the Lopes finished out the victory.
The game today was originally scheduled for Saturday, but Grand Canyon was unable to arrive into Kansas City until Saturday due to inclement weather traveling from Chicago State, where the Lopes had a Thursday night game.
Senior Jordan Giles hit for his ninth game of double-digit points with 13 today, including the sixth in his last seven games. Coming into the game, Giles ranked seventh in conference games averaging 16.2 points, up from his 9.9 season average. Also, he was tied for sixth in field goal shooting at 55.6 percent. Today, he shot 5-of-9 overall.
The game started with a fast pace, with very few stoppages in play. There were just two whistles in the first six minutes – a violation and out-of-bounds – before the first foul was assessed at the 14:06 mark. During the first media timeout at 14:29, the stats were nearly identical with the 4-4 score. Both teams shot 2-of-7, including 0-of-3 from downtown, grabbed five rebounds and turned the ball over twice.
The Lopes led by as many as seven in the first half by a 25-18 score at the 5:18 mark. Grand Canyon thought they had a seven-point lead at the half after a 3-pointer was initially ruled successful. But after the official reviewed the play, the call was reversed and the Roos trailed 36-32 at the half.
A Giles lay-up on Kansas City's first possession of the second half brought the Roos to within 36-34. From there, Grand Canyon went on a 12-4 run to go up 48-38 at the 14:39 mark.
The Roos again had a response, this time with Brandon McKissic's three-point conversion at the 8:19 mark. That basket capped a 13-3 run and the score was tied at 51-51.
Down 60-53, McKissic had five-straight points to get back to 60-58. But the Lopes, who were picked second in the WAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, made their shots against the aggressive Kansas City defense.
For Grand Canyon, Mikey Dixon led all scorers with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Carlos Johnson chipped in 18 points. Jovan Blacksher Jr. had 10 rebounds.
The Roos next play on Saturday, Jan. 25 at California Baptist with a 9 p.m. CT start.
Quick Hitters:
- The Roos had a season-low 10 turnovers today
- Rob Whitfield found his shot from long range once again. With his four three-pointers tonight, he now has nailed at least one bomb in eight-straight games. He recorded 12 points today.
- Kansas City hit for nine three-pointers today, the eighth time this year the squad nailed at least nine. The Roos entered the game second in the WAC with 7.1 make's.
- Kansas City suffers it's fourth-straight loss, a season-long.
- Grand Canyon became the 11th-straight Kansas City opponent to attempt more free throws with a 21-13 advantage.
Team Stats
GCU
KC
FG%
.468
.383
3FG%
.545
.346
FT%
.905
.846
RB
33
30
TO
11
10
STL
5
3
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
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