{"id":41040,"date":"2026-02-07T18:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T22:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/grand-canyon-falls-65-64-to-air-force-in-close-mountain-west-matchup\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T18:16:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T22:16:31","slug":"62422-grand-canyon-falls-65-64-to-air-force-in-close-mountain-west-matchup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/62422-grand-canyon-falls-65-64-to-air-force-in-close-mountain-west-matchup\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Canyon falls 65-64 to Air Force in close Mountain West matchup"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Final Score<\/b>: Grand Canyon’s 81<\/b> points halted Air Force’s 15-game losing streak with a 57-point total<\/b>.<\/li>\n
  • Halftime Dominance<\/b>: GCU led 48-18<\/b> at halftime, matching a program low for opponent first-half scoring.<\/li>\n
  • Key Performer<\/b>: Brian Moore Jr.<\/b> scored 15 points<\/b> with three steals in 24 minutes<\/b> after returning from hamstring strain.<\/li>\n
  • Defensive Prowess<\/b>: 13 steals<\/b> in the game, holding Air Force to 39.2% shooting<\/b> and 28.6% from three-point range<\/b>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Historic Defensive Performance Powers Blowout Win<\/h2>\n

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

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

    Four Scorers in Double Figures Display Offensive Balance<\/h2>\n

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

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

    Conference Standings Surge with Fourth-Place Finish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Team<\/td>\nRecord<\/td>\nConference<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Utah State<\/b><\/td>\n19-3<\/td>\n10-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    San Diego State<\/b><\/td>\nTBA<\/td>\n10-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    New Mexico<\/b><\/td>\nTBA<\/td>\n9-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Grand Canyon<\/b><\/td>\n15-7<\/td>\n8-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Air Force<\/b><\/td>\n3-19<\/td>\n0-11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

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

    \n“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.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 Jaden Henley<\/b>, Grand Canyon Guard<\/p>\n

    Bryce Drew One Victory Away from Milestone Achievement<\/h2>\n

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

    Jaden Henley<\/b> 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<\/b> showcased growth with a career-high six rebounds<\/b> and 24 minutes<\/b>, including two consecutive alleyoops that drew crowd enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

    Can Grand Canyon Keep Rising in Mountain West Race?<\/h2>\n

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

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

    Watch: Grand Canyon vs Air Force Highlights<\/h3>\n