PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — In an unexpected turn of events, the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team secured a 68-58 victory over Utah at the Acrisure Classic on Tuesday night, despite failing to make a single shot from beyond the arc. This marks an unprecedented achievement for GCU, as it is the first time in their Division I history (since 2013-14) that they have won a game without hitting a three-pointer.
Jaden Henley made a significant contribution to the Lopes’ success, scoring 18 points. Freshman big man Efe Demirel showcased his talent as he came off the bench to score a season-high 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Brian Moore Jr. also added 11 points, while Nana Owusu-Anane made an impact with nine points and nine rebounds.
Despite their struggles from deep, the Lopes excelled at the free-throw line, outscoring Utah 22-12, and capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes by scoring 17 points off 14 turnovers. The Lopes maintained a strong ball-handling presence, committing only six turnovers throughout the game.
On the other hand, Utah’s efforts were led by Don McHenry, who scored 16 points. Terrence Brown, a standout player averaging 25.2 points per game, faced challenges and ended the night with just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.
The Utes, who previously won five straight to open the season, are now grappling with back-to-back losses, having also fallen to Cal Poly 92-85 on Friday.
Looking ahead, Grand Canyon University will face Iowa, who recently defeated Mississippi 74-69, in the championship game on Wednesday. The matchup is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Meanwhile, Utah will compete against Ole Miss in the consolation game.