Grand Canyon's strong performance led to a decisive 76-58 victory over San José State at the Global Credit Union Arena. The Antelopes' balanced attack, coupled with their stifling defense, proved too much for the Spartans to handle. Efe Demirel's 14 points and 6 rebounds paced Grand Canyon, while Ben Roseborough's 23 points were not enough to propel San José State to a win.
The game got off to a rocky start for San José State, as Grand Canyon's defense held them to just 26 points in the first half. The Antelopes, on the other hand, came out firing, scoring 42 points in the opening period. This 16-point halftime lead would prove insurmountable for the Spartans, as Grand Canyon continued to apply pressure in the second half. Despite a slightly more competitive period, with San José State scoring 32 points to Grand Canyon's 34, the outcome was never truly in doubt.
Grand Canyon's top performers stepped up to the challenge, with Dusty Stromer and Jaden Henley adding 12 and 11 points, respectively. This balanced scoring attack allowed the Antelopes to maintain their lead and cruise to a comfortable 18-point victory. On the other side, Melvin Bell Jr. contributed 17 points and 5 rebounds for San José State, but it was not enough to overcome the team's sluggish start.
The win improves Grand Canyon's record to 13-6, while San José State falls to 6-14. This result will have implications for both teams' tournament chances, particularly for Grand Canyon. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not significantly boost their resume, but it does help to avoid a potentially damaging loss. For San José State, the defeat will be recorded as a Quadrant 1 loss, which could actually benefit their tournament profile if they can manage to secure some more notable wins down the line.
In the end, Grand Canyon's strong team performance and solid defense were the difference-makers here. With Efe Demirel and company leading the charge, the Antelopes were able to dictate the pace of the game and secure a convincing victory. As the season wears on, Grand Canyon want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament resume. For San José State, the focus will shift to bouncing back from this loss and finding ways to compete with tougher opponents. The Spartans must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for a postseason berth.