Tyon Grant-Foster’s first shot of the night was something special. It bounced high off the rim before falling back through the hoop for an unexpected 3-pointer. “I knew the Lord was with me after that one,” he said with a smile.
It was a confidence booster he desperately needed. His second attempt? Nothing but net. The 6-foot-7 senior guard was back to the offensive form that made him last season’s WAC Player of the Year. With his resurgence, Grand Canyon University secured an 82-71 victory over Southern Utah in their Western Athletic Conference opener, much to the delight of a sellout crowd of 7,398 at the Global Credit Union Arena on Saturday night.
Highlights of Grant-Foster’s Performance
Grant-Foster was instrumental in GCU’s success, putting up 12 points in the first half alone. He went 4-for-7 from the field, hit 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and sank both free throws. By the final buzzer, he had amassed a game-high 23 points, shooting 7-of-15 overall and 3-of-5 from three-point range. On top of that, he contributed nine rebounds, blocked two shots, and recorded three steals.
Coming into Saturday’s game, Grant-Foster had been in a tough shooting slump, connecting on only one of his last 36 three-point attempts. His offensive woes had been a source of frustration since his standout performance against Hawaii on December 3, after which he had managed just 14-of-74 from the field. “The Lord is with me every game, but I knew it was time,” Grant-Foster shared. His defensive prowess had kept him in the lineup during this rough patch, earning him the trust of coach Bryce Drew. “I’m so happy for Tyon,” Drew said. “He’s been working hard, doing all the other things—rebounding, making steals, leading us in blocks. But tonight, his scoring finally came alive.”
Coach Drew’s Faith in His Star Player
Grant-Foster’s road back to the starting lineup wasn’t easy. Drew had him come off the bench for three straight games before giving him a starting nod in the final non-conference matchup against Bryant. Even then, his shooting woes persisted, going just 1-for-13 in that game. “These guys believed in me so much,” Grant-Foster said. “As many shots as I’ve missed, they kept encouraging me to keep going.”
Duke Brennan’s Heroics on the Boards
While Grant-Foster’s scoring was key, GCU also leaned heavily on center Duke Brennan’s dominance in the paint. Brennan pulled down a staggering 15 rebounds, 10 of which were on the offensive end. His effort translated into 25 second-chance points for the Lopes. Whether he was finishing missed shots himself or kicking the ball back out to teammates, Brennan’s presence was a game-changer. He finished with 16 points, marking his fourth career college double-double and his second in a row.
“The last couple of games, I’ve been finding my spots really well,” Brennan explained. “Getting around defenders for key plays has been huge.”
Southern Utah’s Resilience
Southern Utah, now 8-7, showed flashes of brilliance. After starting the season 8-2, injuries slowed their momentum. Back to full strength, they gave GCU a serious scare, erasing a 13-point deficit in the second half to briefly take the lead with 7:40 remaining. Dominique Ford was a standout for Southern Utah, hitting 4-of-9 from three-point range and scoring 22 points. However, GCU’s defense, led by Ray Harrison, made life difficult for Ford down the stretch.
“We have to improve some of our defensive coverages,” Drew admitted. “But Southern Utah’s a good team. They were 8-2 for a reason before injuries. Now, they’re back in form.”
Winning the Battle on the Boards
One of the biggest factors in GCU’s win was their dominance on the glass. The Lopes outrebounded Southern Utah 45-32, a crucial advantage, especially in a game where their opponents shot 55% in the second half and hit 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Returning to Form
GCU’s overall performance Saturday night felt like a glimpse of last season’s magic. The team that won 30 games and their first NCAA Tournament game appeared to be reemerging. With Grant-Foster attacking the basket, JaKobe Coles and Collin Moore sinking timely three-pointers, and Brennan cleaning up on the boards, the Lopes looked formidable.
“The key is playing the right way,” Drew explained. “Helping each other make plays, taking care of the ball. When we move the ball like we did tonight, everything flows. That’s how we ended up making 11-of-23 threes. It’s all about ball movement.”
In the first half alone, GCU shot 8-of-10 from three-point range. Coles and Grant-Foster each knocked down two during this stretch. While only six players scored for the Lopes, the contributions were balanced. Moore added 17 points and two steals, while Coles chipped in with 10 points. The Lopes’ aggressive defense also paid off, forcing 12 steals.
Looking Ahead
With this win, GCU improved to 11-4 overall and showed they have the pieces to make another deep run in the WAC. Grant-Foster’s return to form, combined with Brennan’s interior dominance and a cohesive team effort, bodes well for their season. The challenge now will be maintaining this level of play as they dive deeper into conference action.
The Global Credit Union Arena was electric Saturday night, and if the Lopes continue to perform like this, their fans have plenty to be excited about in the weeks ahead.
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