The Grand Canyon University Men's Club Basketball White team finally cracked Arizona State University Downtown's code.
Only problem was that it was a bit too late.
GCU White went 1-2 in a three-game series with ASU Downtown last weekend in Phoenix, dropping the first two games before rebounding with a dominant 94-78 win in the final contest.
ASU's brute size and strength inside overwhelmed the Lopes in the first two matchups, forcing GCU Head Coach Lamont Lane to rethink his strategy heading into Game 3.
Needless to say, Lane pushed the right buttons.
"We switched the lineup and went big," Lane explained. "That lineup we started in Game 3 was the biggest lineup we've started all year. ASU Downtown is a really physical team, and we knew we had to play bigger to match them. Once we had the right arrangement on the court, the guys played well together."
Despite the Game 3 loss, ASU Downtown improved to 5-1 and padded its lead in the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA) Southern Pacific-East Conference. With a few weeks left in the regular season, GCU White sits in third with a 3-3 mark.
Game 1 was the most competitive contest of the series, with GCU White guard Dante' Nobles tying the game on a layup with 50 seconds left in regulation. A controversial loose ball foul on the Lopes allowed ASU to hit two free throws to take a 69-67 lead with 30 seconds left. GCU missed a layup on its ensuing possession, and ASU made its final two free throws to seal the 71-67 victory.
Game 2 wasn't competitive as ASU got off to a fast start and never looked back in a decisive 86-71 win.
"We learned a lot from those first two games," Lane said. "Every loss is a learning experience for the players and coaches. We probably should have won the first game, but we learned from both games and figured it out in Game 3."
The Lopes changed the lineup in Game 3 and jumped out to a big lead early. GCU led by 25 points at one point, using its additional size to command the paint.
"ASU Downtown isn't built to play from behind," Lane said. "Once we got off to an early lead, they weren't equipped to come back on us. They (ASU Downtown) like to get a lead and wear you down on the inside. We didn't allow that to happen in Game 3."
GCU White will square off with GCU Purple (0-6) in a three-game series at the Canyon Activity Center next week before welcoming ASU Downtown again the following week.
"That's the good news," Lane said. "We'll see ASU Downtown again, and we look forward to seeing what we can do after getting a good feel for them now."
GCU Purple drops three to ASU
GCU Purple dropped to 0-6 on the season with three losses to ASU last weekend in Tempe. GCU Purple sits in fourth place in the NCBBA Southern Pacific-East Conference, while ASU improved to 4-2 and controls second place.
