Phoenix, Ariz. (Dec. 15, 2015) --- Grand Canyon shot better than 55% from the field to highlight its 88-59 win over Delaware State at GCU Arena this evening. Joshua Braun led four Antelopes in double-figures with 18 points. Keonta Vernon had a double-double for Grand Canyon, tallying 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Devin Morgan and DeAndre Haywood came off the bench to lead the Hornets with 14 points each. Morgan's point total marked a career-high. He also had a career-best four three-point field goals, high for a DSU player this season.
Haywood also matched his career-high with five assists to lead the Hornets.
Mrdjan Gasevic, also off the bench, had a season-high eight points and tied for the team lead with four rebounds for DSU.
Grand Canyon was red-hot in the first half, connecting on eight of its first 11 shots from the floor. The Antelopes opened up a 28-16 lead on a jumper by De'Andre Davis with 7:11 to go before halftime.
Delaware State responded with a 10-4 run, and pulled to within 30-26 on a three-pointer by Haywood with 4:26 left in the half.
The Lopes scored 10 of the last 12 points in the half to lead 40-28 at the break. Grand Canyon was 16-for-23 from the field (69.6%) and six-of-10 on three-point shots (60%) in the first half.
Morgan had a team-high 11 points in the first 20 minutes for the Hornets.
Grand Canyon outscored DSU 11-1 to start the second half, and stretched its lead to 51-29 on a three-point play by Gerard Martin with 16:30 left to play.
The Lopes opened up an 84-54 advantage after two free throws by Dominic Magee with 3:32 remaining.
Ryan Majerle, son of Grand Canyon head coach Dan Majerle, had 14 points, highlighted by four three-point field goals (4-7); and Martin added 10 for the Lopes.
Delaware State was 23-for-55 from the field (41.8%), including six-of-17 on three-point shots (35.3%). Grand Canyon shot 55.4% from the field for the game (31-for-56). The Antelopes were nine-for-20 from beyond the arc (45%).
GCU won the rebound battle 39-26. The Hornets have been outrebounded in each game this season.
DSU had 13 assists and 16 turnovers, while Grand Canyon tallied 18 assists while turning the ball over 13 times.
Grand Canyon improved to 8-2 this season, while the Hornets fell to 0-10.
The Hornets will return to action on Saturday (Dec. 19) at Temple. Game time is 4 p.m. at the Liacoris Center in Philadelphia. DSU returns home on Jan. 4, 2016 to face Baptist Bible. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
STINGERS
Freshman center Demola Onifade had a season-high five points for the Hornets … The Grand Canyon contest was Delaware State's sixth of nine consecutive road games … Haywood also had five assists in a win over Delaware on Dec. 7, 2014.
