Grand Canyon falls 65-64 to Air Force in close Mountain West matchup

Grand Canyon University absolutely dismantled Air Force with a 30-point halftime lead, cruising to an 81-57 Mountain West victory Tuesday night. The Lopes ascended into fourth place in the conference with their seventh win in nine games, showcasing elite defensive intensity.

Historic Defensive Performance Powers Blowout Win

Grand Canyon’s defense was absolutely menacing against Air Force Tuesday night. The Lopes shut out the Falcons for more than seven minutes early, snatching the ball on each of Air Force’s first three possessions. Moore and graduate power forward Nana Owusu-Anane each recorded three steals, leading a suffocating defensive effort.

Coach Bryce Drew praised his team’s commitment. Dennis Evans and Efe Demirel protected the rim effectively, altering shots in the paint. The Lopes forced 13 turnovers in the first half alone, creating chaos for a struggling Air Force offense that hasn’t won since November.

Four Scorers in Double Figures Display Offensive Balance

Grand Canyon’s balanced attack featured four players scoring in double figures. Brian Moore Jr. led with 15 points, shooting efficiently at 5-of-7 from the field. Makaih Williams added 15 points, while Jaden Henley contributed 13 points on an impressive 6-of-9 shooting.

Freshman guard Evan Boisdur emerged as a key contributor with 10 points in a career-high 18 minutes, tripling his season total. Henley finished with six rebounds, six assists, and two steals without a turnover in just 23 minutes, showcasing GCU’s depth and efficiency.

Conference Standings Surge with Fourth-Place Finish

Team	Record	Conference
Utah State	19-3	10-2
San Diego State	TBA	10-2
New Mexico	TBA	9-2
Grand Canyon	15-7	8-3
Air Force	3-19	0-11

GCU’s ascent into fourth place demonstrates remarkable progression. The Lopes trail conference leaders Utah State, San Diego State, and New Mexico by just one game. Grand Canyon matched a Division I-era program low for opponent first-half scoring with the 18 points Air Force managed. Their second-largest halftime lead of the 13-year D-I era showcased total dominance.

“When we get downhill, we’re hard to stop. We’re playing with a different type of connection right now. That’s going to lead us.”

— Jaden Henley, Grand Canyon Guard

Bryce Drew One Victory Away from Milestone Achievement

Coach Bryce Drew is now one victory away from 300 career wins. Under Drew’s six-year tenure, Grand Canyon basketball has transformed into a Mountain West contender. The flat starts and defensive lapses of November are completely gone. GCU’s starters left the game early with GCU ahead 73-35, allowing reserves valuable playing time.

Jaden Henley was on pace for a triple-double with his efficient performance. The graduate guard’s leadership proved critical in establishing deep scoring margins. Dennis Evans showcased growth with a career-high six rebounds and 24 minutes, including two consecutive alleyoops that drew crowd enthusiasm.

Can Grand Canyon Keep Rising in Mountain West Race?

Grand Canyon heads to UNLV on Saturday with momentum building toward March. The Lopes haven’t faced the Runnin’ Rebels yet in Mountain West play, creating a critical matchup for conference standings. GCU’s seventh win in nine games signals peaking at exactly the right time, with tournament implications intensifying weekly.

The defensive foundation Drew has established, combined with Henley’s arrival and Moore’s return to form, positions Grand Canyon as a legitimate conference threat. Air Force extends its losing streak to 15 consecutive defeats, while GCU climbs higher in postseason seeding talks and conference championship projections.

Watch: Grand Canyon vs Air Force Highlights

Sources

• ESPN – Game summary and box score for Grand Canyon 81, Air Force 57 from February 3, 2026
• Grand Canyon University Athletics – Complete game recap with player quotes and statistics
• Mountain West Conference – Official conference standings and Air Force loss reporting