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A Tight First Half Sets the Stage
Grand Canyon leaned on efficiency, rebounding dominance, and a blistering second-half performance to pull away from San Jose State for a 94–79 road victory, turning a narrow halftime edge into a decisive conference win.
The Lopes led just 39–36 at the break after a competitive opening 20 minutes in which both teams found offensive rhythm. San Jose State shot confidently and spaced the floor well, knocking down perimeter shots to keep the pressure on. But even as the Spartans connected from outside, GCU quietly established control in the paint and on the glass, limiting second chances and keeping the game on its terms.
Grand Canyon Second-Half Surge Breaks It Open
The separation came swiftly after halftime.
Grand Canyon erupted for 55 second-half points and shot a remarkable 21-for-28 (75 percent) from the field over the final 20 minutes. The Lopes repeatedly generated high-quality looks — post entries, downhill drives and kick-out opportunities — stretching the lead into double digits and eventually building it to 18.
Rather than relying on contested jumpers, GCU attacked the rim and forced defensive rotations. Once the Spartans began collapsing into the paint, the ball movement opened space elsewhere. The offensive execution turned what had been a tense, back-and-forth game into a controlled finish.
Henley Directs, Williams Anchors for Grand Canyon
Jaden Henley delivered one of his most complete performances, finishing with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting while adding eight assists. He controlled tempo throughout the second half, breaking down defenders off the dribble and either finishing through contact or finding open teammates when help arrived.
Inside, Makiah Williams set the tone physically with 14 points and eight rebounds. His presence on the glass helped GCU dominate the rebounding battle 36–17. That advantage translated directly into production — the Lopes outscored San Jose State 21–9 in second-chance points and 54–22 in the paint.
Balance defined the offensive effort, with five Lopes finishing in double figures and 20 assists recorded on 36 made field goals. Even though the three-point shooting (6-of-20) was modest, the shot selection and interior efficiency more than compensated.
Efficiency Tells the Story
For the game, Grand Canyon shot 62.1 percent from the field and 84.2 percent from the free-throw line, numbers that underscored the quality of its offensive possessions. San Jose State shot a solid 49 percent overall and connected on 10 three-pointers, but the combination of rebounding disparity and GCU’s relentless second-half scoring left little room for error.
The Lopes also received a major lift from their bench, outscoring the Spartans’ reserves 24–5 and sustaining energy across rotations.
What began as a tight contest ultimately became a showcase of Grand Canyon’s offensive ceiling. When the Lopes control the glass, share the basketball and generate paint touches at this level of efficiency, they are exceptionally difficult to slow down over 40 minutes — a reality San Jose State felt in the closing minutes of a 94–79 final.
For the full photo gallery of GCU’s dominant performance yesterday, visit the athletics gallery below.
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