GCU guard Matt Jackson talks about returning to form in GCU's home rout of winless Mississippi Valley State on Monday.
Grand Canyon made seven 3-pointer in the first half, finding the best way to take care of a double-overtime, road-loss hangover was to play a team still searching for its first win.
Mississippi Valley State dropped to 0-11, as the Antelopes warmed up from the arc and had little trouble in a 71-38 rout Monday night at GCU Arena.
GCU (8-3), coming off a double-overtime loss at Boise State in its first road game of the season, made 7 of 15 3-pointers in the first half, building a 33-19 lead. The Delta Devils were held to 27.6 percent shooting in the half.
Senior power forward Keonta Vernon suffered an arm injury going for a defensive rebound with 5:15 left. He bent over in pain with his hand on his shoulder as he left the game.
Vernon returned to start the second half for the Antelopes, who continued to launch 3s and hammer the Delta Devils on the glass. GCU had 16 offensive rebounds with four minutes to play and a 31-point lead.
Josh Braun led GCU with 16 points and six rebounds. Backup Matt Jackson, who missed all of last season after back surgery, had 10 points.
MVSU shot only 27.5 percent in the game.
GCU relies on defense and 3-point shooting. Defense has had to help the Antelopes overcome some poor shooting this season. Monday, it made 11 of 27 3-pointers.
Before the game, coach Dan Majerle was visited in his office by former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo and former Suns player, coach and GCU coach Paul Westphal.
"Defensively, I thought we were good, active," coach Dan Majerle said. "Sixteen offensive rebounds, which is good. We actually shot 40 percent, which is a step up. So we're getting there."
Three takeaways
– GCU, it appears, is going to win or lose with the 3 this season. It came into Monday's game averaging 26 3-point attempts a game. Sometimes, the Antelopes are hot. Sometimes not. This time, they were able to build a big lead with 3-pointers. And it wasn't just Braun nailing them. Jackson is getting more into a rhythm. He made his first three 3-pointers. Braun was 3 for 7 from the arc with about 11 minutes left when the Antelopes had a 20-point lead.
– GCU needs to get sophomore Oscar Frayer, its most athletic player, going. He has been coming off the bench for two weeks now. Frayer was good off the bench, defensively and rebounding, against Boise State. On Monday, he struggled to get into the flow. His first basket came with 6:33 left. Frayer came into the game as the team's third-leading scorer with 8.7 points a game.
– Finishing inside has been a struggle for the Antelopes, who missed layups and put-backs against a smaller opponent. Vernon is the team's best inside threat. But he has been up and down offensively. He needs to get help from others. Jackson, Gerard Martin and the 6-foot-10 freshmen, Alessandro Lever and Roberts Blumbergs, give coach Dan Majerle more length than any of his previous four seasons. But their games are more suited offensive from the perimeter.
Stat line
GCU was outscored 20-18 in the paint, but it won the rebound battle, 49-30.
Final word
"I think it's finally starting to get back. My legs are getting there. My shot is feeling good. It's finally falling into place." – Matt Jackson, whom Majerle calls "a glue guy" with his strong defense and smarts on offense.
Up next
GCU is home again on Thursday night to face Longwood, which is in the Valley to also play Arizona State. Eleven of its first 12 games have been in Phoenix.
RELATED: Braun, Benson help GCU hold off North Carolina Central
MORE: GCU's aggression, lineup change lead to home rout of Grambling State
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1 of 89![Grand Canyon's Keonta Vernon watches St. Johns's Shamorie]()
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14 of 89![GCU's Oscar Frayer (4) dunks over San Diego's Cameron]()
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16 of 89![GCU's Casey Benson (11) passes against the defense]()
17 of 89![GCU's Oscar Frayer (4) passes against the defense of]()
18 of 89![San Diego's Isaiah Wright (22) scores past the defense]()
19 of 89![GCU's head coach Dan Majerle instructs his team after]()
20 of 89![GCU's Oscar Frayer (4) is greeted by Casey Benson (11)]()
21 of 89![GCU's Oscar Frayer (4) and San Diego's Isaiah Pineiro]()
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23 of 89![GCU's Joshua Braun (2) shoots against San Diego's Alex]()
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25 of 89![during the first half at Grand Canyon University on]()
26 of 89![GCU's Shaq Carr (0) dribbles up the court against San]()
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31 of 89![GCU's Oscar Frayer (4) dunks over San Diego's Yauhen]()
32 of 89![GCU's Joshua Braun passes the ball against Little Rock]()
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48 of 89![GCU's Joshua Braun goes up for a layup against Little]()
49 of 89![GCU's Fiifi Aidoo drives downcourt against Little Rock]()
50 of 89![GCU's Fiifi Aidoo looks for an opening against Little]()
51 of 89![GCU's Casey Benson looks for an opening against Little]()
52 of 89![GCU's Casey Benson (11) draws a block on a layup from]()
53 of 89![GCU's Joshua Braun (2) guards FAMU's Kamron Reaves]()
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58 of 89![GCU's Keonta Vernon (24) tries to make a reverse layup]()
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62 of 89![GCU's Gerard Martin (42) greets his teammates after]()
63 of 89![GCU's Fiifi Aidoo (1) shoots a jumper over FAMU's Justin]()
64 of 89![GCU's Keonta Vernon (24) goes up for a layup against]()
65 of 89![Jerry Colangelo (left) shakes hands with GCU board]()
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67 of 89![Jerry Colangelo (left) shakes hands with GCU board]()
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69 of 89![Grand Canyon University men’s basketball player Gerard]()
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Monday's game
Mississippi Valley State (0-10) at GCU (7-3)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: GCU Arena.
TV/Radio: YurView Cox 4, 1580 The Fanatic, 99.3 FM.
Update: GCU missed out on an opportunity at its first quality win of the season on Wednesday, leading for most of its first road game at Boise State, before falling in double overtime. Again, GCU struggled shooting, making just 9 of 32 3-pointers and shot 35 percent for the game. ... GCU is first in the WAC in scoring defense (allowing 61.6 points a game) and defensive field goal percentage (.399). But it ranks sixth out of eight teams in 3-point percentage shooting (.304). ... Mississippi Valley State is coming off an 81-63 loss at Akron. Dante Scott had 14 points and seven rebounds and Jordan Evans 12 points.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.
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