PHOENIX (AP) — Makaih Williams scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half, Brian Moore Jr. added 20 points and Grand Canyon knocked off No. 23 Utah State 84-74 on Saturday.
The Antelopes (11-6, 4-2 Mountain West) shot 51% from the floor and turned back Utah State’s late charge to set off a court storming with their third win in five all-time games against AP Top 25 opponents.
Grand Canyon’s Nana Owusu-Anane finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and 7-foot-2 center Dennis Evans blocked six shots while altering several others.
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The Aggies (15-2, 6-2 Mountain West) got off to a shaky start and trailed for most of the game to see their eight-game winning streak end. Mason Falslev had 25 points to lead Utah State, which shot 36% from the floor and 7 of 28 from 3.
Utah State made its season debut in the AP Top 25 this week, then locked down Nevada for a in a 71-62 home win on Wednesday.
The Aggies had a much harder time against the Antelopes and their rowdy Havocs student section.
Grand Canyon sped Utah State up with defensive pressure, forcing a string of early turnovers while building a nine-point lead as the fans shook the stands inside GCU’s arena.
Falslev brought the Aggies back, scoring 12 straight points to tie the game at 23-all, but went cold to trail by six at halftime.
Utah State turned up its defensive pressure to claw back, pulling within one on Kolby King’s long 3-pointer, but missed six of its next seven shots as Grand Canyon stretched the lead to 10.
GCU’s next game
Following the win, the ‘Lopes will next host the San Diego State Aztecs at Global Credit Union Arena on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. and can be seen on FS1.
