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

Follow on Google News

Watch: Talking Diamondbacks post-All-Star break outlook with skipper Torey Lovullo | 12 mins

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.