A ten-0 run to finish the sport propelled Alabama to a 72-61 win over Grand Canyon in a hard-fought, bodily second-round NCAA Match sport in Spokane, Washington on Sunday evening.
With 5:25 left, Grand Canyon held a 58-57 lead, however the Antelopes had been outscored the remainder of the sport, 15-3, to finish their NCAA Match run.
GCU beat Saint Mary’s within the first spherical for its first-ever March Insanity victory on Friday. The crew is now 1-3 all-time within the NCAA Match.
For a second, it appeared prefer it might transfer to 2-2.
The Antelopes had all of the momentum, however the tide turned with a four-point possession from Alabama making a 58-56 deficit for the Crimson Tide right into a 60-58 benefit with 5:21 left.
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One of many analysts on TV referred to as the sport a “conflict” and whereas we do not like battle analogies in sports activities, it may need been appropriate for this sport.
GCU was referred to as for 21 fouls within the sport. Alabama was whistled for 27.
The Antelopes did not assist their trigger, going 23-for-37 from the free throw line. Alabama went 16-for-22.
Grand Canyon struggled offensively all evening, ending up taking pictures simply 18-for-56 from the sector and 2-for-20 from 3.
It solely had 5 assists within the sport.
Alabama was 24-for-65 on its discipline objective makes an attempt and 8-for-31 from 3.
Mark Sears led Alabama with 26 factors and 12 rebounds. GCU was led by Tyon Grant-Foster, who scored 29.
Alabama will face No. 1 seed North Carolina within the Candy 16. Grand Canyon ended its season with a 30-5 file total and because the WAC common season and event champions.
Last rating: Alabama 72, Grand Canyon 61
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Alabama extends lead vs. Grand Canyon
GCU had a formidable run to get the lead on this sport, however its been Alabama that seems to have made the run when it counts.
The Tide went on a 13-2 run to construct its lead within the closing minute. It has scored eight straight factors.
It was Alabama that has executed down the ultimate stretch of this sport.
Rating: Alabama 70, Grand Canyon 61 (:38 left in second half)
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Alabama has enormous possession vs. Grand Canyon
GCU had all of the momentum on this sport, however then could not get a rebound, leading to an enormous change within the scoreboard.
Alabama made a free throw, then missed one, however acquired an offensive board. Mouhamed Dioubate then scored on a putback, however was fouled, and he made the free free, turning a 58-56 deficit right into a 60-58 lead for the Crimson Tide.
That damage.
Grand Canyon has 15 offensive rebounds on this sport. Alabama has 18.
Can anybody field out?
Rating: Alabama 62, Grand Canyon 61 (3:51 left in second half)
Grand Canyon on a run vs. Alabama, due to … operating
GCU has discovered its reply to its tough play within the offensive half of the court docket: Simply hold operating.
The Antelopes have elevated their pace on this sport and are forcing the problem on offense, operating the ball to the ring on every possession.
It’s working.
GCU has taken a 58-55 lead with 5:40 left due to its fast-break baskets.
The Antelopes are on an 8-0 run.
Rating: Grand Canyon 58, Alabama 55 (5:40 left in second half)
Foul bother for Grand Canyon vs. Alabama
Two of GCU’s starters have 4 fouls on this sport as Ray Harrison and Gabe McGlothan are one foul away from fouling out for the Antelopes.
Lok Wur has three fouls for Grand Canyon.
Jarin Stevenson has fouled out for Alabama, whereas Nick Pringle and Rylan Griffen every have three fouls.
How large of an element will fouls play down the stretch?
Rating: Grand Canyon 55, Alabama 55 (6:45 left in second half)
‘That is only a wild basketball sport’ between Grand Canyon and Alabama
One of many announcers on TV simply summed up this sport, saying: “That is only a wild basketball sport.”
Certainly.
Grand Canyon and Alabama are battling within the second half of a bodily, tightly contested sport in Spokane, with every crew attempting to will itself to a win the second-round NCAA Match sport.
Which crew will discover the best way?
Tyon Grant-Foster is as much as 21 factors for GCU. Mark Sears has 20 for Alabama.
Grand Canyon is taking pictures 31.9% from the sector. Alabama is at 35.2%.
We have got 7:54 left within the second half and the depth is rising.
Keep tuned.
Rating: Alabama 52, Grand Canyon 48 (7:54 left in second half)
Grand Canyon attempting to struggle again vs. Alabama in second half
The Antelopes at the moment are 12-for-42 from the sector on this sport. They’re 2-for-16 from 3. They’ve simply 4 assists. They’ve turned the ball over 9 occasions.
And someway, they solely path by six factors.
Alabama is now 16-for-48 from the sector and 6-for-23 from 3. It has 11 assists and 6 turnovers.
The rating is perhaps tighter if GCU might make the most of its free throw benefit. The Antelopes have tried 24 free throws, whereas the Crimson Tide have 10 free throw makes an attempt.
However Alabama has made 7, whereas GCU has made simply 13 of its makes an attempt.
This has been an unpleasant, bodily, wild sport.
And there’s nonetheless 12 minutes left.
Rating: Alabama 45, Arizona 39 (12:01 left in second half)
Grand Canyon not serving to itself on offense amid taking pictures struggles vs. Alabama
It is no secret that Grand Canyon has struggled offensively on this sport, however the Antelopes aren’t actually serving to their possibilities with the best way they’re enjoying.
The crew has struggled with its spacing and transferring with out the ball on offense. Lots of its photographs are contested makes an attempt with defenders proper on them.
The crew is just not creating simpler alternatives for scores.
Need proof? The Antelopes solely have three assists on this sport. Sure, three.
That is not going to get the job finished, if GCU desires to have any likelihood of advancing to the Candy 16.
Alabama has finished a greater job of distributing the ball on offense. The Crimson Tide have 10 assists.
GCU has simply three factors to date within the second half. Alabama has 4.
Rating: Alabama 42, Grand Canyon 33 (15:59 left in second half)
Alabama takes 8-point lead into half vs. Grand Canyon
The primary half of the Alabama vs. Grand Canyon March Insanity second-round sport Sunday evening in Spokane, Washington was a bodily, tough 20 minutes.
It was additionally actually tightly contested till Alabama went on a 10-2 run to finish the half and take a 38-30 lead on the break on GCU.
GCU is simply 9-for-31 from the sector and 2-for-12 from 3-point vary. The Antelopes have helped their trigger by taking pictures 18 free throws, however they don’t seem to be taking pictures nicely there, both, having made simply 10 of them.
Alabama is 13-for-34 from the sector and 5-for-15 from 3. It’s 7-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Tyon Grant-Foster has 12 factors to guide Grand Canyon, whereas Mark Sears and Rylan Griffen every have 13 factors for Alabama.
Grand Canyon made historical past profitable its first NCAA Match sport on Friday towards Saint Mary’s. It’s clearly going to have to begin taking pictures higher towards Alabama if it desires to win its second March Insanity sport.
Halftime rating: Alabama 38, Grand Canyon 30
Alabama’s Latrell Wrightsell Jr. out for sport vs. Grand Canyon
In an enormous loss for Alabama, the Crimson Tide introduced that Latrell Wrightsell Jr. can be out for the remainder of the sport with a head harm.
Alabama is rallying with out him, nonetheless, because it has constructed a 38-30 lead on Grand Canyon on the half.
The rating was tied at 28-28, however the Crimson Tide went on a 10-2 run to finish the primary half with an 8-point lead.
Alabama gamers had been proven consoling Wrightsell Jr. within the hallway once they headed again to the locker room at halftime.
Rating: Alabama 38, Grand Canyon 30 (halftime)
Grand Canyon ties sport with Alabama on Tyon Grant-Foster 3
Tyon Grant-Foster simply hit a 3-pointer to tie the sport towards Alabama late within the first half.
GCU is 2-for-12 from 3-point vary on this sport, however Grant-Foster is 2-for-3.
The Antelopes are 8-for-29 from the sector.
Coach Bryce Drew needs to be blissful that his crew is someway tied with Alabama amid its taking pictures struggles.
Alabama is not a lot better from the sector, because the Crimson Tide are 10-for-31 from the sector and 4-for-14 from 3.
Rating: Grand Canyon 28, Alabama 28 (2:27 left in first half)
About Alabama not being proud of the officiating vs. Grand Canyon …
Nick Pringle on the Alabama bench simply threw a clipboard on the ground and the Crimson Tide had been assessed one other technical foul for it.
It’s their second technical foul of the sport.
Grand Canyon is now 10-for-16 from the free throw line. That and the crew’s second likelihood factors (seven offensive rebounds) are maintaining GCU on this sport amid its 5-for-25 taking pictures from the sector.
Rating: Alabama 24, Grand Canyon 21 (4:05 left in first half)
Extra:Referees hand Nate Oats technical foul in Alabama-Grand Canyon sport in 2024 NCAA Match
Block social gathering for Grand Canyon towards Alabama
Grand Canyon is as much as 5 blocks on this sport, which has helped them stick with Alabama amid the Antelopes’ dismal taking pictures.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. simply exited the sport after touchdown on Gabe McGlothan’s foot when Wrightsell Jr. fouled McGlothan on a 3-point try.
This sport has been fairly chippy, because the officers have allowed each groups to play bodily.
Alabama has been whistled for 9 private fouls, nonetheless, to only 4 for Grand Canyon, and Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats and a few of his gamers should not blissful about it.
Rating: Alabama 21, Grand Canyon 16 (5:37 left in first half)
Grand Canyon, Alabama beginning to warmth up in second-round NCAA Match sport
Each the Antelopes and Crimson Tide nonetheless aren’t taking pictures notably nicely total, however they’re beginning to warmth up in Spokane.
GCU is now 5-for-22 from the sector. Alabama is 6-for-22.
Each of those groups love the lengthy ball, however one has a definite benefit early. Alabama is 4-for-12 from 3. Grand Canyon is 1-for-10.
Collin Moore has returned for Grand Canyon after lacking a while after taking an elbow to the nostril.
“We have got to maneuver extra on offense, we have to unfold it extra,” GCU coach Bryce Drew advised TBS at a break.
Rating: Alabama 17, Grand Canyon 13 (8:12 left in first half)
Mark Sears propels Alabama again to guide vs. Grand Canyon
Mark Sears scored 30 factors towards the School of Charleston in Alabama’s first-round NCAA event win.
What number of will he get on this sport?
The guard simply hit back-to-back 3-pointers to present Alabama a 13-9 lead.
He’s 3-for-3 from 3-point vary within the sport and has 9 of Alabama’s factors.
Alabama could also be simply 4-for-19 on this sport, however it’s 4-for-11 from 3-point vary, buoyed by the three from Sears.
Rating: Alabama 13, Grand Canyon 9 (10:14 left in first half)
Protection sparks GCU to first lead vs. Alabama
A pair of blocks, adopted by a transition 3 by Tyon Grant-Foster, has given the Antelopes their first lead towards the Crimson Tide with 11:48 left within the first half.
Grant-Foster has 5 of Grand Canyon’s 9 factors. He additionally had an enormous block, as did Gabe McGlothan.
The announcers for the sport commented that GCU “is a mid-major crew, however it has high-end expertise.”
Alabama coach Nate Oats was assessed a technical foul for complaining to the officers after Grant-Foster’s 3.
Rating: Grand Canyon 9, Alabama 7 (11:37 left in first half)
Grand Canyon’s Collin Moore exits sport after elbow to the face
Grand Canyon’s Collin Moore took an inadvertent elbow to the face from Alabama’s Nick Pringle and exited the sport with what seemed to be a bloody nostril.
Trainers had been proven engaged on Moore on the GCU bench. Officers reviewed the play and didn’t assess a foul on Pringle.
The taking pictures continues to be abysmal for each groups on this second-round March Insanity sport.
GCU is now 2-for-14. Alabama is 2-for-12.
Rating: Alabama 7, Grand Canyon 5 (12:40 left in first half)
Gradual begin to Alabama vs. Grand Canyon March Insanity sport
Alabama put up 109 factors in its NCAA Match opening win over the School of Charleston.
Grand Canyon scored 75 towards Saint Mary’s.
The groups have mixed for simply 9 factors on the first break in motion in Spokane, with Alabama holding a 6-3 lead.
GCU is simply 1-for-11 from the sector within the sport. Alabama is 2-for-10.
Is it nerves? Is it simply dangerous taking pictures?
It doesn’t matter what it’s, we anticipate the taking pictures, and the rating, to warmth up on this sport. Each of those offenses are too good.
Rating: Alabama 6, Grand Canyon 3 (15:00 left in first half)
What the chances say about Grand Canyon vs. Alabama March Insanity sport
The Crimson Tide are -250 on the moneyline. The Antelopes are +200.
The over/underneath (level whole) for the sport is about at 172.5 factors.
Apparently, of their pregame picks for the sport on TBS, Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley all picked Grand Canyon to win the sport towards Alabama.
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About these Grand Canyon basketball followers in NCAA Match …
How did Grand Canyon get a lot fan assist in Spokane?
It begins with an incredible deal: For $28, followers of the crew (referred to as Havocs) acquired a “Let’s Dance” shirt, a chartered flight to and from Spokane, tickets to each video games and two nights in a lodge.
For simply $28?
Richard Obert has the main points from Spokane right here.
Extra:Fortunate Grand Canyon college students get March Insanity expertise for $28
This is how Grand Canyon can advance towards Alabama in NCAA Match
The Arizona Republic’s Richard Obert, who’s in Spokane protecting the Grand Canyon basketball crew, analyzed how the Antelopes can upset Alabama in March Insanity.
One of many keys to the sport? The followers.
The winner of this sport will advance to face No. 1 seed North Carolina within the Candy 16.
North Carolina defeated No. 9 seed Michigan State on Saturday, 85-69.
You possibly can learn Obert’s story right here.
Extra:This is how Grand Canyon can advance towards Alabama in NCAA Match
Find out how to watch Grand Canyon vs Alabama in NCAA Match
When:Â Sunday, March 24, 4:10 p.m. Pacific time (7:10 p.m. ET)
The place:Â Spokane Veterans Memorial Area, Spokane, Washington
TV channel:Â TBS
Announcers:Â Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Steve Smith, Robbie Hummel (analysts), Lauren Shehadi (reporter)
Streaming:Â Sling TV
STREAM THE GAME:Â Watch Alabama vs. Grand Canyon stay with Sling TV
Grand Canyon vs Alabama pregame studying
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