PHOENIX - True freshman
Christian Alston scored 10 points off the bench, and Braydin Hubbard turned in his third straight double-digit scoring performance, but the ACU Wildcats lost at preseason WAC favorite Grand Canyon, 88-58 on Thursday night.
Alston's 10 points were his most against a Division I school. He poured in 17 against Hardin-Simmons, and 10 versus McMurry (both Division III schools).
Hubbard drilled a 3-pointer to kick-off the scoring, but GCU then rattled off 14 unanswered and never looked back.
The Lopes pushed their lead to 21 at one point in the first half, and led 38-21 at halftime.
ACU shot 31.6% from the field (18-of-57), while Grand Canyon knocked in 30 of its 56 field goals (53.6%).
KEY POINTS
- Bradyn Hubbard recorded 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals -- all team-highs. His 5 steals were the most of his career.
- Freshman Jack Sawyer hit a career-high 4 points on 2-for-2 field goals.
- Nasir DeGruy squeaked past his season-best mark with 7 points at GCU. DeGruy also tied his season-high totals for field goals made, 3-pointers made and assists.
- The Wildcats hauled in 14 offensive rebounds -- his 5th most in a single-game this season.
- ACU had its 2nd best free throw percentage of the year at an 80% clip (16-of-20). The Wildcats drained 11-of-13 FT attempt in a loss at Texas A&M on Dec. 28.
- The Wildcats finished 6-of-14 from behind the arc. It's the most made 3-pointers since the Dec. 14, 2024 game vs. Hardin-Simmons, and the third most versus a Division I opponent this season.
UP NEXT
ACU returns to Abilene for its first home game in nearly 3 weeks. The Wildcats host California Baptist (8-9 overall, 1-2 WAC) on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game promotion is the Wild West Welcome Bash presented by The Arch.
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