Grand Canyon wins first post-season game, downs UMKC 77-74
LAS VEGAS -- Alessandro Lever scored 29 points and Damari Milstead sank two free throws with 21 seconds remaining as third-seeded Grand Canyon recovered from first-half jitters in the school's first trip to the post season and defeat No. 5 seed Missouri-Kansas City 77-74 in the Western Athletic Conference quarterfinals Thursday.
Grand Canyon (21-10) will face No. 2 seed Utah Valley (21-9) in a Friday semifinal.
The Antelopes trailed by as many as 16 in the first half of the school's first tournament appearance since joining Division I in 2013, but rallied and cut the gap to 42-40 by halftime. Keonta Vernon scored consecutive baskets to tie at 44-44 and the battle was on, with neither team able to get more than five points ahead.
Brandon McKissic made two free throws with three minutes left for a 72-69 lead, but UMKC couldn't hold it. Lever rebounded his own miss and put it back to give Grand Canyon a 75-72 lead with 1:05 remaining, capping a 6-0 run.
McKissic cut that to 75-74 at 29 seconds but Broderick Robinson missed a 3-pointer with six seconds remaining and Grand Canyon controlled the rebound.
Isaiah Ross scored 18 points for the Kangaroos (10-22), McKissic 17.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ronnie Hernandez
- Rick Batsell
- D.G. Nelson
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 |