Grand Canyon knocks off No. 25 San Diego State 79-73 for its first win over ranked opponent
PHOENIX (AP) Ray Harrison stood at the center of the court, searching for an escape route as Grand Canyon's students charged toward him.
No chance.
GCU's “Havocs” had him surrounded and, after one of the biggest wins in program history, Harrison joined in the celebration.
Harrison scored 23 points, Gabe McGlothian had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Grand Canyon beat No. 25 San Diego State 79-73 on Tuesday night for its first win over a ranked opponent.
“I've never experienced anything like that,” Harrison said. “I was trying to get up out of there, but there was a dude in my face saying, ‘Nope, you’re staying right here.' It was dope.”
The Havocs camped out by the hundreds to see the Antelopes play the reigning national runner-up. San Diego State's return to the AP Top 25 this week after a three-week hiatus only added to the rowdiness in one of college basketball's most unique environments, where students chant, dance and cheer in unison.
The Havocs were treated to a game that started as a defensive struggle and turned into an offensive outburst to start the second half.
The Antelopes (7-1) got hot and didn't stop until late, using a 17-4 run to take a 13-point lead with 4 1/2 minutes left. Grand Canyon kept the Aztecs at bay from there despite not hitting a field goal over the final 4:27 to win its first game in 10 tries against ranked opponents.
Tyon Grant-Foster added 18 points for the Antelopes, off to their best start since joining Division I in 2013-14.
“What an awesome night, from the crowd to the excitement of the game,” Grand Canyon coach Bryce Drew said. “Obviously, being able to beat our first ranked team in our home gym is extra special.”
Jaedon LeDee led San Diego State (7-2) with 24 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough.
The Aztecs trailed by seven at halftime and made shots early in the second half, but faded during a key stretch as the Antelopes revved the crowd. San Diego State went more than four minutes without a field during Grand Canyon's big run, leaving the Aztecs without enough time to complete a comeback in a hostile environment.
“We fought to the end, but didn't play well enough to win on the road,” San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher said.
San Diego State has been one of the nation's best defensive teams, a hard-nosed identity that took the Aztecs to last season's national championship.
The Antelopes showed they can play a little D, too.
Grand Canyon collapsed in the lane to force difficult shots and the Aztecs missed several open 3s. San Diego State missed 13 of its first 16 shots and went scoreless over the final 2:54 of the first half.
McGlothian scored the final four points of a closing 9-0 run that put Grand Canyon up 35-28.
The teams switched gears to start the second half, trading baskets and leads until GCU went on an 17-4 run to go up 69-56. San Diego made a late push, cutting the lead to five, but it was too late.
DISHING TYON
Grant-Foster is known more as a scorer, but he surprised the Aztecs with his passing.
Grand Canyon's leading scorer at 22.3 points a game had five assists against San Diego State after dishing out five combined through the first five games.
“We played good defense and he gave it up tonight,” Dutcher said. “He’s just been going downhill and scoring the ball, but he gave it up today and that’s a big improvement for their team and their future.”
BIG PICTURE
San Diego State: The Aztecs' return to the AP Top 25 will be short-lived after succumbing to the Antelopes and their boisterous fans.
Grand Canyon: The Antelopes reached the NCAA Tournament in two of Drew's first three seasons and appear to have the type of tenacious team to do it again. They should garner some votes for next week's AP Top 25, at minimum.
UP NEXT
San Diego State: Hosts UC Irvine on Saturday.
Grand Canyon: At Liberty on Saturday.
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 |  | Jaedon LeDee vs. Duke Brennan (Ray Harrison gains possession) | ||
| 19:47 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses three point jump shot | ||
| 19:45 |  | Jaedon LeDee defensive rebound | ||
| 19:30 | | Elijah Saunders misses three point jump shot | ||
| 19:28 | | Collin Moore defensive rebound | ||
| 19:20 | | +3 | Ray Harrison makes three point jump shot (Collin Moore assists) | 0-3 |
| 18:56 | | Jaedon LeDee misses two point layup | ||
| 18:54 | | Ray Harrison defensive rebound | ||
| 18:48 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses two point layup | ||
| 18:46 | | Reese Waters defensive rebound | ||
| 18:36 | | +2 | Jaedon LeDee makes two point layup (Lamont Butler assists) | 2-3 |
| 18:35 | | Collin Moore shooting foul (Jaedon LeDee draws the foul) | ||
| 18:35 | | +1 | Jaedon LeDee makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 3-3 |
| 18:08 | | +2 | Gabe McGlothan makes two point layup (Tyon Grant-Foster assists) | 3-5 |
| 17:38 | | Tyon Grant-Foster blocks Reese Waters's two point jump shot | ||
| 17:36 | | Gabe McGlothan defensive rebound | ||
| 17:29 | | +2 | Duke Brennan makes two point layup (Collin Moore assists) | 3-7 |
| 17:14 | | +3 | Elijah Saunders makes three point jump shot (Lamont Butler assists) | 6-7 |
| 16:51 | | Ray Harrison misses three point jump shot | ||
| 16:49 | | Micah Parrish defensive rebound | ||
| 16:42 | | Lamont Butler misses three point jump shot | ||
| 16:40 | | Gabe McGlothan defensive rebound | ||
| 16:29 | | Lamont Butler personal foul | ||
| 16:27 | | Gabe McGlothan misses two point jump shot | ||
| 16:25 | | Reese Waters defensive rebound | ||
| 16:12 | | Gabe McGlothan blocks Micah Parrish's two point layup | ||
| 16:10 | | Aztecs offensive rebound | ||
| 16:10 | | Sydney Curry personal foul | ||
| 16:09 | | Micah Parrish misses three point jump shot | ||
| 16:07 | | Collin Moore defensive rebound | ||
| 16:04 | | Collin Moore turnover (lost ball) (Micah Parrish steals) | ||
| 15:54 | | Jaedon LeDee misses two point jump shot | ||
| 15:52 | | Ray Harrison defensive rebound | ||
| 15:40 | | Collin Moore misses three point jump shot | ||
| 15:38 | | Lamont Butler defensive rebound | ||
| 15:28 | | Lamont Butler turnover (bad pass) (Tyon Grant-Foster steals) | ||
| 15:22 | | +2 | Ray Harrison makes two point layup (Tyon Grant-Foster assists) | 6-9 |
| 15:02 | | Elijah Saunders misses three point jump shot | ||
| 15:00 | | Ray Harrison defensive rebound | ||
| 14:44 | | Tyon Grant-Foster turnover (lost ball) (Micah Parrish steals) | ||
| 14:33 | | Reese Waters misses three point jump shot | ||
| 14:31 | | Jaedon LeDee offensive rebound | ||
| 14:31 | | Ray Harrison personal foul | ||
| 14:31 | | TV timeout | ||
| 14:13 | | Darrion Trammell misses two point jump shot | ||
| 14:11 | | Jaedon LeDee offensive rebound | ||
| 14:06 | | Jaedon LeDee turnover (lost ball) (Ray Harrison steals) | ||
| 14:00 | | Ray Harrison misses two point layup | ||
| 13:58 | | Sydney Curry offensive rebound | ||
| 13:42 | | Sydney Curry misses two point layup | ||
| 13:42 | | Demarshay Johnson Jr. defensive rebound | ||
| 13:42 | | Micah Parrish misses two point layup | ||
| 13:40 | | Josh Baker defensive rebound | ||
| 13:20 | | +2 | Gabe McGlothan makes two point jump shot | 6-11 |
| 12:41 | | +2 | Jaedon LeDee makes two point jump shot | 8-11 |
| 12:19 | | Reese Waters shooting foul (Gabe McGlothan draws the foul) | ||
| 12:19 | | +1 | Gabe McGlothan makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 8-12 |
| 12:19 | | +1 | Gabe McGlothan makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 8-13 |
| 12:05 | | Duke Brennan blocks Lamont Butler's two point layup | ||
| 12:03 | | Demarshay Johnson Jr. offensive rebound | ||
| 12:01 | | Demarshay Johnson Jr. misses two point layup | ||
| 11:59 | | Gabe McGlothan defensive rebound | ||
| 11:59 | | Jay Pal personal foul | ||
| 11:31 | | Isaiah Shaw misses three point jump shot | ||
| 11:29 | | Darrion Trammell defensive rebound | ||
| 11:24 | | TV timeout | ||
| 11:17 | | Josh Baker personal foul | ||
| 11:08 | | +2 | Lamont Butler makes two point jump shot | 10-13 |
| 10:46 | | Jay Pal shooting foul (Ray Harrison draws the foul) | ||
| 10:46 | | Ray Harrison misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 10:46 | | +1 | Ray Harrison makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 10-14 |
| 10:25 | | +2 | Miles Heide makes two point layup (Darrion Trammell assists) | 12-14 |
| 10:10 | | Josh Baker turnover (bad pass) (Miles Byrd steals) | ||
| 10:04 | | Miles Byrd misses two point layup | ||
| 10:02 | | Ray Harrison defensive rebound | ||
| 9:50 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses two point dunk | ||
| 9:48 | | Aztecs defensive rebound | ||
| 9:20 | | Lok Wur shooting foul (Lamont Butler draws the foul) | ||
| 9:20 | | Lamont Butler misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | ||
| 9:20 | | Lamont Butler misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 9:20 | | Antelopes defensive rebound | ||
| 9:06 | | Ray Harrison turnover (bad pass) (Miles Byrd steals) | ||
| 9:00 | | Miles Byrd turnover (bad pass) (Tyon Grant-Foster steals) | ||
| 8:55 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses two point layup | ||
| 8:53 | | Miles Byrd defensive rebound | ||
| 8:46 | | Miles Byrd misses three point jump shot | ||
| 8:44 | | Miles Heide offensive rebound | ||
| 8:41 | | +2 | Jaedon LeDee makes two point jump shot | 14-14 |
| 8:20 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses three point jump shot | ||
| 8:18 | | Jaedon LeDee defensive rebound | ||
| 8:10 | | +3 | Jaedon LeDee makes three point jump shot (Micah Parrish assists) | 17-14 |
| 7:57 | | Antelopes 30 second timeout | ||
| 7:57 | | TV timeout | ||
| 7:35 | | +2 | Ray Harrison makes two point jump shot | 17-16 |
| 7:02 | | +2 | Elijah Saunders makes two point jump shot | 19-16 |
| 6:27 | | +3 | Ray Harrison makes three point jump shot | 19-19 |
| 6:00 | | Elijah Saunders misses two point jump shot | ||
| 5:58 | | Jaedon LeDee offensive rebound | ||
| 5:58 | | Collin Moore blocks Jaedon LeDee's two point layup | ||
| 5:56 | | Collin Moore defensive rebound | ||
| 5:56 | | Jaedon LeDee personal foul | ||
| 5:39 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses two point layup | ||
| 5:37 | | Tyon Grant-Foster offensive rebound | ||
| 5:33 | | +2 | Tyon Grant-Foster makes two point layup | 19-21 |
| 5:16 | | Ray Harrison personal foul | ||
| 5:13 | | +3 | Micah Parrish makes three point jump shot (Lamont Butler assists) | 22-21 |
| 4:41 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses three point jump shot | ||
| 4:39 | | Gabe McGlothan offensive rebound | ||
| 4:33 | | +2 | Collin Moore makes two point dunk | 22-23 |
| 4:22 | | Tyon Grant-Foster personal foul (Micah Parrish draws the foul) | ||
| 4:22 | | Micah Parrish misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | ||
| 4:22 | | Collin Moore defensive rebound | ||
| 4:21 | | Antelopes 30 second timeout | ||
| 4:09 | | +3 | Gabe McGlothan makes three point jump shot (Collin Moore assists) | 22-26 |
| 3:45 | | +3 | Micah Parrish makes three point jump shot | 25-26 |
| 3:26 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:24 | | Reese Waters defensive rebound | ||
| 3:24 | | Duke Brennan personal foul (Reese Waters draws the foul) | ||
| 3:24 | | +1 | Reese Waters makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 26-26 |
| 3:24 | | +1 | Reese Waters makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 27-26 |
| 3:06 | | Collin Moore misses three point jump shot | ||
| 3:04 | | Jaedon LeDee defensive rebound | ||
| 2:53 | | Duke Brennan personal foul (Jaedon LeDee draws the foul) | ||
| 2:53 | | +1 | Jaedon LeDee makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 28-26 |
| 2:53 | | Jaedon LeDee misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | ||
| 2:53 | | Sydney Curry defensive rebound | ||
| 2:35 | | +2 | Tyon Grant-Foster makes two point jump shot | 28-28 |
| 2:35 | | Micah Parrish shooting foul (Tyon Grant-Foster draws the foul) | ||
| 2:35 | | +1 | Tyon Grant-Foster makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 28-29 |
| 2:14 | | Reese Waters misses two point jump shot | ||
| 2:12 | | Gabe McGlothan defensive rebound | ||
| 2:01 | | Sydney Curry turnover (lost ball) | ||
| 1:48 | | Elijah Saunders misses two point jump shot | ||
| 1:46 | | Gabe McGlothan defensive rebound | ||
| 1:36 | | Miles Byrd shooting foul (Tyon Grant-Foster draws the foul) | ||
| 1:36 | | +1 | Tyon Grant-Foster makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 28-30 |
| 1:36 | | +1 | Tyon Grant-Foster makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 28-31 |
| 1:15 | | Elijah Saunders misses two point jump shot | ||
| 1:13 | | Gabe McGlothan defensive rebound | ||
| 1:06 | | Collin Moore misses two point layup | ||
| 1:04 | | Collin Moore offensive rebound | ||
| 0:48 | | Collin Moore misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:46 | | Gabe McGlothan offensive rebound | ||
| 0:41 | | +2 | Gabe McGlothan makes two point layup | 28-33 |
| 0:36 | | Aztecs 30 second timeout | ||
| 0:36 | | TV timeout | ||
| 0:22 | | Miles Byrd misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:20 | | Tyon Grant-Foster defensive rebound | ||
| 0:01 | | Tyon Grant-Foster misses three point jump shot | ||
| 0:00 | | Gabe McGlothan offensive rebound | ||
| 0:00 | | Miles Byrd shooting foul (Gabe McGlothan draws the foul) | ||
| 0:00 | | +1 | Gabe McGlothan makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 28-34 |
| 0:00 | | +1 | Gabe McGlothan makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 28-35 |
| 0:00 | | End of period |