Grand Canyon Stuns Utah in Historic Upset, Advances to Acrisure Classic Final

Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team secured a landmark victory on Monday night. The Lopes defeated the Utah Utes 68-58 at the Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert, California. This win propels them into the tournament championship game against the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes.

The victory was historic for the program. According to game statistics, Grand Canyon achieved this win without making a single three-point shot. This defensive and paint-focused strategy neutralized Utah’s offense completely.

A Defensive Masterclass and Offensive Grit

Jaden Henley led all scorers with 18 points for the Lopes. His performance included a crucial driving three-point play late in the game to seal the win. The team’s offense focused relentlessly on attacking the basket and capitalizing on free throws.

Defense was the true story of the night. Grand Canyon’s defensive pressure forced Utah into 14 turnovers. The Lopes converted those mistakes into 17 points, while Utah scored zero points off turnovers.

They also executed a key defensive assignment perfectly. Utah’s high-scoring guard Terrence Brown was held to just 9 points. He had been averaging 25 points per game entering the contest.

What This Means for the Championship and Beyond

This win signals Grand Canyon’s arrival as a resilient, tactically versatile team. Beating a Power Five conference opponent like Utah without relying on perimeter shooting is exceptionally rare. It demonstrates a potent, physical style of play that can disrupt favored teams.

The immediate focus shifts to the championship game tonight against Iowa. The Hawkeyes are 6-0 and present a different kind of challenge. Grand Canyon will need to replicate its defensive intensity and efficient interior scoring to contend for the tournament title.

For the broader season, this victory provides a significant boost to the team’s resume and confidence. It proves they can win high-profile neutral-site games against quality opponents. This result will be remembered as a defining early-season moment.

Grand Canyon’s stunning Utah upset showcased a blueprint for winning with sheer defensive will. Their championship matchup against Iowa tonight will test if this gritty formula can topple another giant.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How did Grand Canyon win without making a three-pointer?

They won with stifling defense and efficient inside scoring. The Lopes forced 14 Utah turnovers and outscored them 17-0 on points off those mistakes, while dominating play in the paint.

Q2: Who was the star player for Grand Canyon?

Senior guard Jaden Henley was the standout, scoring a game-high 18 points. His driving three-point play with under a minute left effectively secured the historic victory for the Lopes.

Q3: Who does Grand Canyon play in the championship?

They advance to face the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa, who is 6-0, won their semifinal game against Ole Miss to set up the title match on Tuesday night.

Q4: Why was Utah’s Terrence Brown held to 9 points?

Grand Canyon’s defensive game plan focused on containing Brown, the nation’s second-leading scorer. Their persistent pressure and physical defense limited his open looks and disrupted his rhythm all game.

Q5: Where can I watch the championship game?

The Acrisure Classic championship game between Grand Canyon and Iowa will be televised. Fans should check CBS Sports Network for broadcast details and tip-off time.

Trusted Sources

Game statistics and details were sourced from official athletic department releases and reports from The Associated Press.