Blowout or nailbiter, a win's a win.
On Tuesday night, the Grand Canyon University Men's Club Basketball teams both posted wins in their Arizona Men's Basketball League season openers at the Canyon Activities Center on the GCU campus. GCU White took home a 69-39 blowout win over Hillcrest Prep, while GCU Purple beat the South Mountain Jaguars (South Mountain Community College's club team) 66-61 in a come-from-behind victory.
GCU White 69, Hillcrest Prep 39
The Lopes started out hot and never cooled off. The squad cashed in five three-pointers in the first half, including three triples in a row from Lopes' shooting guard Drew Lajocies to take a commanding 32-24 lead going into the second half. Their astounding shooting was combined with defensive tenacity as the Lopes collected eight steals in the first half on their way to 17 total swipes for the game in the 30-point rout. Brothers Eylon and Siloh Zevenbergen led the way for GCU defensively with a combined 8 steals on the night, while Elyon led the team with 15 points and five rebounds.
"We've been preaching defense from the start of conditioning camp," said Lopes' Head Coach Lamont Lane. "We know that defense is something that we can always control – even if we're struggling in other areas."
GCU Purple 66, South Mountain 61
In his first game at the helm of the GCU Purple team, Lopes' Head Coach Caleb Smith led his team to an exciting comeback win over South Mountain. The Lopes looked overwhelmed to start the game, as turnovers and defensive lapses left GCU trailing, 30-22, at the half.
They were a different team the rest of the way, doubling their first-half point total on the back of Steven Colvard's 16 second-half points to go along with his nine total rebounds for the game. Colvard hit clutch shot after clutch shot to get the Lopes back in the game, including two dagger free-throws with 11 seconds left to secure the victory.
"It feels great to get this first win under our belts, especially in such a high-pressure situation," said Smith. "These close games define who we are as a team, and I'm proud of these guys being able to battle and get the win."
The Lopes will look to continue their successful start to the season on October 26 in the CAC. Games start at 7 pm with GCU White against Phoenix Prep, followed immediately by GCU Purple facing off against Bella Vista Prep at 8:15 pm.
