Second Half Run Dooms Lancers at GCU

Thursday, February 21

Phoenix, Ariz.

6:00 PM

California Baptist University

14-11, 5-6WAC

Grand Canyon

16-10, 9-4WAC

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Second Half Run Dooms Lancers at GCU

2/21/2019 8:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score PDF Box Score

By: Mike Minyard, Assoc. AD for External Relations

PHOENIX – California Baptist (14-11; 5-6 WAC) returned to Grand Canyon (16-10; 9-4 WAC) for the first time since 2013 for the 67^th meeting between the two programs on Thursday evening. The Lopes delivered a crushing blow with a 16-0 second half run that broke the game wide open, resulting in a 91-58 victory at GCU Arena.

CBU junior De'jon Davis registered his seventh double-double of the season and third straight with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Davis has posted a double-double in five of the last seven games and is averaging 10 ppg and 10.4 rpg during the stretch.

The Lancers opened up the game with a 6-5 advantage after the first three minutes before GCU went on a 17-5 run to take control at 22-11 with 10:27 remaining in the half. CBU answered with a quick 7-0 run capped by a Milan Acquaah three pointer to make it 22-18 with eight minutes on the clock.

Lancers battling back after being down 11. Milan Acquaah with the 3⃣🏀 to cut the lead to five.#BeatGCU | #LanceUp pic.twitter.com/0PxhuynpCT
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 22, 2019

GCU once again went on another run, this time the 15-6 effort over a five minute span pushed the lead to 13 at 37-24 with three minutes left. The Lancers used an 8-2 run to make it 39-32 with 1:35 to play, but GCU would make the final basket to take a 41-32 lead to the locker room at the break.

De'jon Davis being an animal in the first half! Nearly a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds so far!#BeatGCU | #LanceUp pic.twitter.com/iG5bKbzAaV
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 22, 2019

CBU shot just 2-of-11 from beyond the arc in the first half, but junior Jeremy Smith and senior Jordan Heading connected on a pair of three pointers to open up the second half.

Big bucket by the senior! Jordan Heading with 🔟 points!#BeatGCU | #LanceUp pic.twitter.com/mET2R6W90g
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 22, 2019

After being down by 13 points late in the first half, the Lancers outscored GCU 20-8 over the next 6:17 of game time to make it 45-44 with just over 15 minutes left. CBU was charging.

Milan doing his best Patrick Mahomes out there!#BeatGCU | #LanceUp pic.twitter.com/1rGVUKUUMA
— CBU Men's Basketball (@CBUmbb) February 22, 2019

Acquaah, the leading scorer in the Western Athletic Conference, had two fouls that limited his court time with only 13 minutes in the first half. He quickly picked up his third foul, an offensive charge, early in the second period with 17:53 left. He remained in the contest and earned the assist on three of the next four baskets for the Lancers, as they made it a one-point game. Two minutes later, Acquaah was whistled once again for an offensive foul, his fourth of the game and third offensive, and had to go to the bench. GCU had just hit back-to-back treys to make it a seven point game prior to the foul. By the time Acquaah returned to the floor with 12 minutes left, the Lopes had a 14 point lead. CBU never challenged again and GCU dominated the rest of the way to pick up the league win.

Heading finished with a team-high 15 points with four rebounds and two assists for the Lancers. Acquaah was limited to a season-low seven points along with five boards and three dimes in 25 minutes. Zach Pirog posted eight points and three rebounds off the bench.

Oscar Frayer and Damari Milstead both scored 18 points for GCU. Carlos Johnson added 16 points.

The Lancers will look to bounce back at CSU Bakersfield on Saturday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.