GCU Men’s Basketball Knocks Off Conference Leader Dixie State
The GCU men’s basketball team won its fourth straight game Saturday night, beating first-place Dixie State University 82-80 in a Pacific West Conference game at Antelope Gymnasium.
A Homecoming crowd of nearly 1,000 was on hand to witness GCU’s biggest win of the season. Dixie State was undefeated (6-0) in PacWest play and 12-3 overall entering the game. The Red Storm had won seven in a row for the first time since they made the move to Division II.
The Antelopes thrust themselves into the PacWest race. They are 4-3 in conference play. GCU’s next game is against Dixie State on Saturday, February 6, in St. George, Utah.
The PacWest champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Division II Championship tournament.
Women’s Basketball moves up in PacWest standings with win over Dixie
In a battle for second place in the Pacific West Conference, Grand Canyon defeated visiting Dixie State 78-67 at Antelope Gym Saturday.
The 'Lopes (12-6, 6-1) shot 51.9 percent for the game and outrebounded the Red Storm 42-31 to help negate 27 turnovers and an 18-attempt discrepancy at the free-throw line.
"It was good to bounce back after (losing) our last home game," said GCU head coach Trent May. "We're back in second and closer to first than we would be if we lost."
GCU and Dixie State meet in St. George, Utah, February 6.
GCU Wrestling Wins Two Straight Over the Weekend
Redshirt senior Stephen Towne upset No. 5-ranked Chase Walker in the 157-pound weight class to lead the GCU wrestling team, ranked No. 19 in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll, to a 20-18 victory over Mesa State College Friday night in Grand Junction, Colo.
Towne, as well as junior Todd Wilcox and redshirt sophomore Victor Carazo led the team with wins as GCU defeated Chadron State College, 32-11, Saturday night.
The Antelopes improved to 11-6 overall and 5-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Eagles dropped to 3-8, 0-5.
GCU's next dual is against New Mexico Highlands on February 5 in Las Vegas.
GCU Women Swimmers Defeat Biola 110-70
The women's swimming team had seven first-place finishes and defeated Biola at Brophy Sports Complex Saturday.
It was the team's final tuneup prior to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships February 11-13 in Arvada, Colo.
Ranked No. 12 in the nation, GCU got victories in the 500 Freestyle and 1650 Freestyle from Victoria Heron. She had times of 5:22.35 and 18:31.30, respectively.
Senior Alexis Glessner won the 200 Freestyle (2:00.16). Sophomore Brooke Bellah won the 50 Freestyle (25.57) and sophomore Caiti Hoffman won the 200 Backstroke (2:16.33).
Two Records Set in GCU Men’s Swimming Win Over Biola
The men's swimming team set two school records in Saturday's 143-36 victory over Biola at Brophy Sports Complex.
The 15th-ranked Antelopes won all 11 events in the final meet before the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships February 11-13 in Arvada, Colo.
Junior Ralph Herberg set a new mark in the 200 Breaststroke (2:09.40) and freshman Xavier Lopez broke the record in the 1650 Freestyle (16:49.57).
Men’s Volleyball Team Finish Daytona 100 with 4-0 record
Grand Canyon finished the Daytona 100 with a 4-0 record with wins over Lees-McRae and Limestone on Saturday.
The four-match winning streak is the second-year program's longest success streak. Two individual school records were broken and another tied during the weekend.
In Saturday's win over Limestone, freshman libero Trent Bruns set a new mark for digs with 23. Sophomore Brock Hutchins tied the school record for kills in the match with 20. Sophomore Taylor Griffin had 20 in a match last season.
In Friday's win over Limestone, freshman middle hitter Chris Lockwood set a new school mark for blocks with nine (four solos, five assists).
In Saturday's win over Lees-McRae, sophomore Nick Jensen had season-bests in kills (17) and hitting percentage (.519). His attack average is the second best in school history for a player with 12 or more kills.
GCU is off until a February 12-13 road trip.
