GCU basketball loses to Alabama in March Madness NCAA Tournament 'war'

A ten-0 run to finish the sport propelled Alabama to a 72-61 win over Grand Canyon in a hard-fought, bodily second-round NCAA Event recreation in Spokane, Washington on Sunday night time.

With 5:25 left, Grand Canyon held a 58-57 lead, however the Antelopes had been outscored the remainder of the sport, 15-3, to finish their NCAA Event run.

GCU beat Saint Mary’s within the first spherical for its first-ever March Insanity victory on Friday. The staff is now 1-3 all-time within the NCAA Event.

For a second, it appeared prefer it might transfer to 2-2.

The Antelopes had all of the momentum, however the tide turned with a four-point possession from Alabama making a 58-56 deficit for the Crimson Tide right into a 60-58 benefit with 5:21 left.

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One of many analysts on TV known as the sport a “struggle” and whereas we do not like battle analogies in sports activities, it might need been appropriate for this recreation.

GCU was known as for 21 fouls within the recreation. Alabama was whistled for 27.

The Antelopes did not assist their trigger, going 23-for-37 from the free throw line. Alabama went 16-for-22.

Grand Canyon struggled offensively all night time, ending up capturing simply 18-for-56 from the sector and 2-for-20 from 3.

It solely had 5 assists within the recreation.

Alabama was 24-for-65 on its area aim makes an attempt and 8-for-31 from 3.

Mark Sears led Alabama with 26 factors and 12 rebounds. GCU was led by Tyon Grant-Foster, who scored 29.

Alabama will face No. 1 seed North Carolina within the Candy 16. Grand Canyon ended its season with a 30-5 document total and because the WAC common season and match champions.

Closing rating: Alabama 72, Grand Canyon 61

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Alabama extends lead vs. Grand Canyon

GCU had a formidable run to get the lead on this recreation, however its been Alabama that seems to have made the run when it counts.

The Tide went on a 13-2 run to construct its lead within the remaining minute. It has scored eight straight factors.

It was Alabama that has executed down the ultimate stretch of this recreation.

Rating: Alabama 70, Grand Canyon 61 (:38 left in second half)

Alabama has huge possession vs. Grand Canyon

GCU had all the momentum in this game, but then couldn’t get a rebound, resulting in a big change in the scoreboard.

Alabama made a free throw, then missed one, but got an offensive board. Mouhamed Dioubate then scored on a putback, but was fouled, and he made the free free, turning a 58-56 deficit into a 60-58 lead for the Crimson Tide.

That hurt.

Grand Canyon has 15 offensive rebounds in this game. Alabama has 18.

Can anyone box out?

Score: Alabama 62, Grand Canyon 61 (3:51 left in second half)

Grand Canyon on a run vs. Alabama, thanks to … running

GCU has found its answer to its rough play in the offensive half of the court: Just keep running.

The Antelopes have increased their speed in this game and are forcing the issue on offense, running the ball to the hoop on each possession.

It is working.

GCU has taken a 58-55 lead with 5:40 left because of its fast-break baskets.

The Antelopes are on an 8-0 run.

Score: Grand Canyon 58, Alabama 55 (5:40 left in second half)

Foul trouble for Grand Canyon vs. Alabama

Two of GCU’s starters have four fouls in this game as Ray Harrison and Gabe McGlothan are one foul away from fouling out for the Antelopes.

Lok Wur has three fouls for Grand Canyon.

Jarin Stevenson has fouled out for Alabama, while Nick Pringle and Rylan Griffen each have three fouls.

How big of a factor will fouls play down the stretch?

Score: Grand Canyon 55, Alabama 55 (6:45 left in second half)

‘This is just a wild basketball game’ between Grand Canyon and Alabama

One of the announcers on TV just summed up this game, saying: “This is just a wild basketball game.”

Indeed.

Grand Canyon and Alabama are battling in the second half of a physical, tightly contested game in Spokane, with each team trying to will itself to a win the second-round NCAA Tournament game.

Which team will find the way?

Tyon Grant-Foster is up to 21 points for GCU. Mark Sears has 20 for Alabama.

Grand Canyon is shooting 31.9% from the field. Alabama is at 35.2%.

We’ve got 7:54 left in the second half and the intensity is rising.

Stay tuned.

Score: Alabama 52, Grand Canyon 48 (7:54 left in second half)

Grand Canyon trying to fight back vs. Alabama in second half

The Antelopes are now 12-for-42 from the field in this game. They are 2-for-16 from 3. They have just four assists. They have turned the ball over nine times.

And somehow, they only trail by six points.

Alabama is now 16-for-48 from the field and 6-for-23 from 3. It has 11 assists and six turnovers.

The score might be tighter if GCU could take advantage of its free throw advantage. The Antelopes have attempted 24 free throws, while the Crimson Tide have 10 free throw attempts.

But Alabama has made 7, while GCU has made just 13 of its attempts.

This has been an ugly, physical, wild game.

And there is still 12 minutes left.

Score: Alabama 45, Arizona 39 (12:01 left in second half)

Grand Canyon not helping itself on offense amid shooting struggles vs. Alabama

It’s no secret that Grand Canyon has struggled offensively in this game, but the Antelopes aren’t really helping their chances with the way they are playing.

The team has struggled with its spacing and moving without the ball on offense. Many of its shots are contested attempts with defenders right on them.

The team is not creating easier opportunities for scores.

Want proof? The Antelopes only have three assists in this game. Yes, three.

That’s not going to get the job done, if GCU wants to have any chance of advancing to the Sweet 16.

Alabama has done a better job of distributing the ball on offense. The Crimson Tide have 10 assists.

GCU has just three points so far in the second half. Alabama has four.

Score: Alabama 42, Grand Canyon 33 (15:59 left in second half)

Alabama takes 8-point lead into half vs. Grand Canyon

The first half of the Alabama vs. Grand Canyon March Madness second-round game Sunday night in Spokane, Washington was a physical, rough 20 minutes.

It was also really tightly contested until Alabama went on a 10-2 run to end the half and take a 38-30 lead at the break on GCU.

GCU is just 9-for-31 from the field and 2-for-12 from 3-point range. The Antelopes have helped their cause by shooting 18 free throws, but they aren’t shooting well there, either, having made just 10 of them.

Alabama is 13-for-34 from the field and 5-for-15 from 3. It is 7-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Tyon Grant-Foster has 12 points to lead Grand Canyon, while Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen each have 13 points for Alabama.

Grand Canyon made history winning its first NCAA Tournament game on Friday against Saint Mary’s. It is obviously going to have to start shooting better against Alabama if it wants to win its second March Madness game.

Halftime score: Alabama 38, Grand Canyon 30

Alabama’s Latrell Wrightsell Jr. out for game vs. Grand Canyon

In a big loss for Alabama, the Crimson Tide announced that Latrell Wrightsell Jr. would be out for the rest of the game with a head injury.

Alabama is rallying without him, however, as it has built a 38-30 lead on Grand Canyon at the half.

The score was tied at 28-28, but the Crimson Tide went on a 10-2 run to end the first half with an 8-point lead.

Alabama players were shown consoling Wrightsell Jr. in the hallway when they headed back to the locker room at halftime.

Score: Alabama 38, Grand Canyon 30 (halftime)

Grand Canyon ties game with Alabama on Tyon Grant-Foster 3

Tyon Grant-Foster just hit a 3-pointer to tie the game against Alabama late in the first half.

GCU is 2-for-12 from 3-point range in this game, but Grant-Foster is 2-for-3.

The Antelopes are 8-for-29 from the field.

Coach Bryce Drew has to be happy that his team is somehow tied with Alabama amid its shooting struggles.

Alabama isn’t much better from the field, as the Crimson Tide are 10-for-31 from the field and 4-for-14 from 3.

Score: Grand Canyon 28, Alabama 28 (2:27 left in first half)