GCU basketball defeats Utah without hitting a single 3-pointer at Acrisure Classic

Grand Canyon defeated Utah at the Acrisure Classic on Tuesday night without hitting a single shot from beyond the 3-point line.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nov 26, 2025, 7:28 AM Updated: 11:32 am

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Head coach Bryce Drew of the Grand Canyon Antelopes reacts against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Jaden Henley scored 18 points, and Grand Canyon men’s basketball defeated Utah 68-58 without hitting one shot from beyond the arc at the Acrisure Classic on Tuesday night.

The Lopes went 0-for-10 from 3-point range but outscored Utah 22-12 from the free-throw line. It was GCU’s first win without making a single 3-pointer since the program joined Division 1 (2013-14).

True freshman big man Efe Demirel scored a season-high 12 on 5-of-10 shooting off the bench, and Brian Moore Jr. added 11 points for Grand Canyon (4-2). Nana Owusu-Anane had nine points and nine rebounds for Bryce Drew’s squad.

THIS. SEQUENCE. Come for the Breidenblock, stay for the Nana and-one! 😯

📺 CBS Sports Network pic.twitter.com/XF15ND7QE0

— Grand Canyon Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) November 26, 2025

Don McHenry led Utah (5-2) with 16 points. Terrence Brown, who went into the game averaging 25.2 points per game (No. 2 nationally), finished with nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.

The Lopes scored 17 points off 14 Utah turnovers, and GCU committed just six turnovers.

Steal ➡️ scoop ➡️ score @jaden2coldd

📺 CBS Sports Network pic.twitter.com/YoUBQMhmtJ

— Grand Canyon Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) November 26, 2025

The Utes, who lost 92-85 to Cal Poly on Friday, have lost back-to-back games after winning five straight to open the season.

Who does GCU play next?

Grand Canyon plays Iowa, which beat Mississippi 74-69 earlier Tuesday, in the championship game Wednesday. Utah takes on Ole Miss is the consolation game.

GCU and Iowa tip off at 7:30 p.m. MST on CBS Sports Network.