GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

Keonta Vernon finishes with 19 points as GCU beats Grambling State

Dec 9, 2017, 9:51 PM

(Darryl Webb/Grand Canyon University via AP)...

(Darryl Webb/Grand Canyon University via AP)

(Darryl Webb/Grand Canyon University via AP)

PHOENIX — Keonta Vernon made all eight of his shots from the field and finished with 19 points in 23 minutes to help Grand Canyon beat Grambling State 87-53 on Saturday night.

Vernon was the first to be perfect from the field on eight-plus attempts since Grand Canyon transitioned to Division I in 2013 and the fourth in program history.

Joshua Braun added 13 points, Matt Jackson scored 12 and Shaq Carr had 11 for the Antelopes (6-2), who led by as many as 20 in the first half and 18 at the break. They held the Tigers without a field goal for over seven minutes in the second half and had their largest lead at 79-41 with 4:29 to go.

Jason Perry-Murray had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Ivy Smith Jr. added 12 for Grambling State (3-6).

The Tigers scored the opening basket, Grand Canyon’s Braun answered with a 3-pointer and the Antelopes led the rest of the way.

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