WICHITA, Kansas – First national championship appearance.

Following Grand Canyon University Men's Club Basketball White's perfect 14-0 record in Region VI play of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association season, the Lopes continued their dominating play at the NIRSA National Basketball Championships, reaching the championship game before falling to the University of Wisconsin, 48-42. The loss snapped an incredible 18-game winning streak in NIRSA play for the Lopes.

NIRSA National Pool Play Game 1: GCU White 69, Mississippi State 55

The first game of the weekend for GCU Men's Club Basketball White was against Mississippi State, who had just finished their NIRSA regular season ranked No. 16 nationally. Despite their high ranking, the Bulldogs couldn't quite keep up with the Lopes. GCU controlled the game from start to finish - thanks to some great finishing around the rim from Elyon Zevenbergen, who dominated the painted area and lead all scorers with 18 points.

GCU guard Jacob Rice capped off the impressive Lopes' win with a massive dunk over a 6'10" Mississippi State center and finished with 15 points and three steals.

NIRSA National Pool Play Game 2: GCU White 100, Denver 40

GCU White got started quickly against Denver University, jumping out to a 30-3 lead in the first half. From there, the Lopes reserve players were inserted and continued to dominate, never really looking back.

GCU Head Coach Lamont Lane loved the overall performance from his team.

"Our starters got the game going the right way with their energy and intensity," said Lane. "Then to see our reserves keep their foot on the pedal, it was a complete effort."

NIRSA National Quarterfinals: GCU White 59, Columbia College 45

"We knew that Columbia was well-coached and had size and shooting," said Lane. "They're easily one of the best teams we've played all season."

The Columbia squad that faced off with the Lopes in the quarterfinals was headlined by Cameron Paulding, a 6-foot-7 former NCAA Division I prospect. Paulding's size, along with an effective zone defense deployed by Columbia, led to the Lopes' offense struggling early. Eventually, Lopes' guards David Black and Jacob Rice penetrated the Columbia zone defense, finding shooters, and pushing the Lopes to the win. Black finished with 16 points, 10 assists and four steals.

NIRSA National Semifinals: GCU White 70, Air Force 55

Another opponent with an impressive roster, Air Force was ranked No. 1 in the country and started a lineup with all five players 6-foot-5 or taller.

"Air Force was the titan of the tournament," said Lane. "I think a lot of the other teams thought this is where our run would end."

But GCU wasn't done yet.

The game was neck-and-neck throughout the first half, with neither team taking a large lead. Opening the second half on a run, Air Force started to pull away before Lane made a crucial adjustment.

"We noticed that their starters had played the entire game," said Lane. "They weren't making any substitutions. Once we saw that, we picked up the pace and used our depth to run them off the floor."

GCU's Drew LaJocies began to score at will, earning easy looks inside against the Air Force interior defense, who was tiring quickly. Lopes' center Elyon Zevenbergen added to the scoring flurry with 22 points, also grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking seven AF shots.

NIRSA National Finals: Wisconsin 48, GCU White 42

While coaching at Purdue (prior to coming to GCU), Lane became very familiar with the Wisconsin men's club basketball program, playing the Badgers multiple times per season.

"I told my guys that they like to stack their top teams with upperclassmen and grad students," said Lane. "We knew they would be experienced."

The game was close in the first half, with GCU heading to halftime down four points. The Badgers' stifling defense prevented the Lopes from getting to the rim or feeding anyone in the post.

Mason Petersen kept the Lopes afloat for much of the second half, hitting five threes late. Eventually, it was a long rebound on a game-tying attempt from GCU guard Jacob Rice that the Badgers collected and scored, putting them up six as time expired.

GCU finished their season strong, ending with a 27-6 record overall.

Lopes' David Black and Elyon Zevenbergen were named to the NIRSA All-American Team for the 2021-22 season.

"I personally want to thank all of the players, fans/supporters, and GCU club sports staff members that made it possible for us to participate in a national event like this," said Lane. "It was a great season."