Grand Canyon, ranked 68th in the NET, was upended by Wyoming, a 100th-ranked team, by a 5-point margin, 70-65, at the Global Credit Union Arena. The Antelopes and Cowboys were tied 28-28 at halftime, but Wyoming's second-half surge propelled them to victory. The Antelopes' initial momentum was matched by the Cowboys in the second half, as they took a 42-37 lead and held on to win.
Wyoming's win marked an upset, as they defeated a higher-ranked opponent. Grand Canyon's offense, which had been a key component of their success this season, was stifled by the Cowboys' defense, allowing them to secure the victory.
Simm-Marten Saadi led the Cowboys with a team-high 13 points, converting on 5 of his 9 field goal attempts and 3 of his 7 three-point attempts. His efficiency from beyond the arc was a key factor in Wyoming's victory, as the Antelopes struggled to contain him. Saadi also contributed on the glass, securing 4 rebounds, and dished out 1 assist.
Leland Walker and Nasir Meyer rounded out the top performers for the Cowboys. Walker chipped in with 13 points of his own, despite shooting just 3 of 6 from three-point range, and added 4 assists to his stat line. Meyer, meanwhile, scored 11 points, shooting 4 of 13 from the field, but struggled with his three-point shot, missing all 5 attempts. Both players showed a ability to score and facilitate for their teammates, but were not as efficient as Saadi from beyond the arc.
Makaih Williams led Grand Canyon with a season-high 29 points, shooting 53% from the field and 63% from three. His 7 rebounds were a respectable contribution, but ultimately fell short as the Antelopes struggled to contain Wyoming's interior presence. Williams' scoring outburst was not enough to propel his team to victory, and his supporting cast was unable to provide the necessary lift.
Jaden Henley added 15 points and 5 rebounds, but was held to just 1 three-pointer on 4 attempts. His 5 assists were a positive, but his shooting percentages were not nearly as efficient as Williams'. Nana Owusu-Anane provided a boost on the glass with 12 rebounds, but scored just 9 points on 2-6 shooting. Despite Owusu-Anane's defensive effort, Wyoming's big men were able to capitalize on Grand Canyon's lapses, ultimately sealing the win.
The remainder of the Wyoming roster remained largely within the parameters of their established season averages.
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INCORRECTPredicted
Final
The pre-game prediction, which favored Grand Canyon by 7.5 points, fell short of the actual outcome, with Wyoming emerging victorious by 5 points. This discrepancy suggests that the model overestimated Grand Canyon's chances, failing to account for Wyoming's resilience on the defensive end.
A closer examination of the team statistics reveals that Grand Canyon's shooting woes from beyond the arc were a significant factor in their defeat. Their 3-point shooting percentage, which has been a season-low 35.0%, was well below their season average of 30.7%. Conversely, Wyoming's defense held Grand Canyon to just 35.0% from three, forcing them to rely on two-point conversions. Additionally, Grand Canyon's inability to secure rebounds on the defensive glass, where they typically excel, allowed Wyoming to maintain possession and capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For Wyoming, the win in a Quad 1 game helps to bolster its NET ranking and, more importantly, improves its Quad 1 win total to 1-6, moving it closer to a potential at-large bid. However, the Cowboys' NET ranking still falls short of the top 75, making a seeding beyond the 12-line range uncertain. Meanwhile, for Grand Canyon, the loss in a Quad 3 game is a setback, as it now trails the Cowboys in NET ranking by 32 spots, and its Quad 1 win total remains mediocre at best. The Lopes' NCAA Tournament hopes may now hinge on winning a few more games in favorable Quadrants to compensate for this Quad 3 defeat. With this result, Wyoming's at-large candidacy just got a little bit more plausible.