Box Score
Matt Samuels scored a career-high 26 points and Fresno Pacific controlled the game from start to finish as the Sunbirds handed PacWest power Grand Canyon (14-4, 5-2 PacWest) just its fourth loss of the season 83-68 at the Special Events Center on Saturday.
The Sunbirds (8-6, 3-3 PacWest) held the Antelopes to just 33% from the field, avenging a 77-75 December loss to GCU in Phoenix, a game in which FPU led for the first 39 minutes.
"As a coach it was devastating for us to lose that game and have to sit on it all Christmas break," said head coach Chris Wright. "My challenge to the guys tonight was that we're not going to get out-rebounded and we're going to contest shots. We did both those things really well. We played like a team and got very unselfish performances from everyone."
The Antelopes had no answer for Samuels, who drove to the rim with ease and got to the line often, making 7-of-11 from the field and 11-of-15 from the line.
"He was phenomenal," said Wright. "Just the way he runs our team, it makes my job a billion times easier. He takes charge of the game and calls great sets. The passion he played with tonight was contagious."
John Taylor added 17 points,
Antonio Credit had 14 points and nine rebounds, and
Malcolm Griffin dished out nine assists to go with eight points and seven rebounds.
"He's fun to watch," said Wright of Griffin. "He's so crafty with the basketball and has such a great feel for the game. In a lot of ways he's the heart and soul of our team because he brings it every single possession."
Killian Larson and Justin Foreman scored 14 points each for the Antelopes, who are playing their final season in the PacWest and NCAA Division II before joining the WAC and moving to NCAA Division I next season.
The team remained undefeated at home on the season, improving to 6-0.
FPU has now defeated both of the PacWest's NCAA tournament teams from last season. The Sunbirds defeated Dixie State 82-80 in December, which remains as Dixie State's lone conference loss this year (6-1).
FPU hosts Hawaii Hilo (3-10, 1-4 PacWest) on Monday night at 7:30 pm.
