MALIBU, Calif. – Grand Canyon's defense can be enough to win when the offense is not.

The Lopes kept Pepperdine without a field goal for the game's final four minutes, allowing GCU junior guard Jovan Blacksher Jr. to make consecutive go-ahead baskets and set up the Lopes to close out a 59-56 Saturday win at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Blacksher played all but 36 seconds of GCU's first road game but was only 3 of 15 from the field until he created two clutch scores on a crossover and a pull-up in the final three minutes. After the Lopes defense added another stop, GCU junior power forward Gabe McGlothan made a step-over move from the wing for a jumper that made the lead 59-56 with 57 seconds remaining.

Pepperdine took possession with 13.8 seconds remaining and a three-point deficit, but denied the Waves' initial action and had graduate guard Holland Woods II step out to challenge guard Jade Smith's potential tying 3-pointer that missed. Woods, who led the team with three steals, suffered an upper-leg bruise early in the game but returned and played 33 minutes, giving GCU a game-high 15 points.

The Lopes (5-1) are 5-0 when holding opponents to 40% shooting or worse this season after keeping the Waves to 35.1% shooting from the field on their home court, where they only had one loss in overtime this season. GCU made it a home-court advantage with 200 Havocs joining more alumni fans for a purple presence.

GCU was rough offensively with 17 turnovers and 40.7% shooting but again gave itself plenty of extra chances with 14 offensive rebounds. GCU has posted double-digit rebounds in every game and an average of 18.6 per game in the past three contests. 

Blacksher scored in double figures for the 10th consecutive game with 13 points and added six assists for GCU's first win against a West Coast Conference program. Blacksher made one turnover in 39 minutes, giving him two turnovers in 101 minutes of play this week.

GCU led for nearly all of the first half, but nine turnover kept the Lopes from ever having a more comfortable cushion. 

To complicate matters for GCU, graduate guard Holland Woods II sustained an early-game leg injury and needed to exit for treatment. He returned with an apparent limp but still made 4 of 8 shots for 12 first-half points. The Lopes led 32-30 at halftime and could have made up for the turnovers off seven offensive rebounds. Instead, the Lopes only scored one second-chance points.

GCU settled for perimeter shots often in the first half, going 2 for 12 from beyond the arc and 11 for 19 in 2-point range.  After Pepperdine rallied to a 22-22 tie during four scoreless minutes, the Lopes recaptured momentum before the half with Blacksher breaking the drought on a 3-point drive and GCU finding McGlothan twice on the post for scores.

Return to gculopes.com for Paul Coro's full game recap with comments from head coach Bryce Drew and players.