Vernon leads Lopes to big victory over Kangaroos
PHOENIX -- Keonta Vernon had 18 points and Oscar Frayer pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds as Grand Canyon raced past UMKC 79-62 on Thursday night, giving GCU its fifth win in the last six games.
The teams traded 7-0 runs early, and there were six ties to go along with five lead changes in the first half. Casey Benson scored six of his 14 for the Lopes (16-7, 5-2 Western Athletic) in the midst of a 10-0 run to put them up 12 as time wound down before the break.
The Kangaroos (6-18, 1-6) never got closer than 10 from that point on, as the final 17-point margin matched GCU's largest lead of the night. UMKC has lost four straight.
GCU controlled the boards for most of the evening, outrebounding UMKC 45-24, including a 13-6 margin on the offensive boards.
Broderick Robinson led the Kangaroos with 16 points and Brandon McKissic added 15.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Shawn Lehigh
- Ryan Holmes
- Wilson Holland
2023-24 Summit League Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Dakota State | 12-4 | - | 22-13 |
North Dakota | 10-6 | 2 | 18-14 |
Kansas City | 10-6 | 2 | 16-16 |
St. Thomas-Minnesota | 9-7 | 3 | 20-13 |
North Dakota State | 8-8 | 4 | 15-17 |
Omaha | 7-9 | 5 | 15-18 |
Denver | 6-10 | 6 | 17-17 |
Oral Roberts | 5-11 | 7 | 12-19 |
South Dakota | 5-11 | 7 | 12-20 |
2023-24 Western Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Grand Canyon | 17-3 | - | 30-5 |
Tarleton State | 16-4 | 1 | 25-10 |
UT Arlington | 13-7 | 4 | 20-14 |
Seattle U | 11-9 | 6 | 23-14 |
Utah Valley | 11-9 | 6 | 16-16 |
Stephen F. Austin | 10-10 | 7 | 18-15 |
Abilene Christian | 10-10 | 7 | 16-18 |
California Baptist | 8-12 | 9 | 16-17 |
Utah Tech | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
Southern Utah | 5-15 | 12 | 10-21 |
UT Rio Grande Valley | 2-18 | 15 | 6-25 |