Grand Canyon beats Utah Valley, advances to WAC Tournament final
Mar 9, 2018, 10:10 PM
Grand Canyon guard Joshua Braun (2) goes in for a layup around the defense of Louisville forward Anas Mahmoud (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
(AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
LAS VEGAS — Joshua Braun and Alessandro Lever had 15 points each and third-seeded Grand Canyon overcame a second-half lapse to beat No. 2 seed Utah Valley 75-60 in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday night.
The Antelopes (22-10) advanced to Saturday’s championship to face the winner of No. 1 seed New Mexico State and fourth-seeded Seattle.
Grand Canyon opened to a 27-9 lead and went into halftime up 41-27.
Utah Valley (22-10) went on a 16-3 run early in the second half to cut the deficit to 51-47 but got no closer. Grand Canyon had a 6-1 run to get the lead back to double digits with three minutes to go and made 11 of 14 free throws in the final 90 seconds to seal it.
Keonta Vernon added 14 and eight rebounds for Grand Canyon.
Akolda Manyang had 18 points, Kenneth Ogbe scored 12 and Brandon Randolph, 10 for Utah Valley.
