Getting hot at the right time.
After getting eliminated in the semifinals of the Arizona Men's Basketball League Playoffs the previous week, Grand Canyon University Men's Club Basketball Team White rebounded well, dominating opponents at the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association Region VI Basketball Championships in Fullerton, California. The Lopes went a perfect 4-0 on the weekend, getting contributions from the entire team along the way.
NIRSA Game 1: GCU White 52, Cal Poly Pomona 41
The first game of the weekend for the Lopes didn't go exactly as planned. After starting sluggish and falling behind early, GCU White rallied behind stellar defense in the second half.
"David Black and Jacob Rice were able to change the game with great defensive intensity," said GCU Head Coach Lamont Lane.
The Lopes' Elyon Zevenbergen helped power GCU to the 11-point victory as the Lopes pulled away late. Zevenbergen posted 18 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.
NIRSA Game 2: GCU White 64, UC Riverside 46
A slow game to start, GCU White entered the halftime break with a five-point lead.
Enter Shiloh Zevenbergen.
The Lopes' guard – who is Elyon's brother - scored all 22 of his points in the second half. His hot shooting helped GCU start the second half on a 15-0 scoring run, and the Lopes never looked back.
Stephen Colvard – recently promoted from the Lopes' second team - posted eight points and 10 rebounds, and reserve Amari Coe-Johnson tacked on nine points and three steals late to ensure the victory.
NIRSA Game 3: GCU White 66, Gustavus Adolphus College 47
GCU White got off to a great start in its first meeting of the season with Gustavus Adolphus College, busting out to a 35-15 lead at halftime, and coasting from there.
The Lopes ended up dropping 15 three-pointers as a team. Lopes' reserves Cade Rice and Jacob Rice flew all over the place on defense, not letting GAC get anything going offensively to mount a comeback.
NIRSA Game 4: GCU White 65, San Jose State 38
In a battle of 3-0 teams, "defense ruled the day," said Lane.
The Lopes got defensive contributions from the whole team, including David Black (five steals in the first 10 possessions), Jacob Rice (six steals), and Elyon Zevenbergen (six blocks). All the dominant defense led to only 10 points being scored by San Jose State in the second half, a weekend-low by a GCU opponent.
GCU's Mason Petersen went a perfect 6-for-6 from the three-point arc.
The Lopes now set their sights on San Luis Obispo, heading to California State Polytechnic University for NIRSA Club Basketball Conference Weekend 2 March 12 and 13.
