The GCU basketball team will not garner significant praise after the Cardinals thumped the Lopes 74-56 in their final non-conference home game. The Lopes kept the game close through most of the first half, leading by as much as seven at one point. The game was mostly back and forth throughout, but Louisville used a 21-3 run over an 8 minute stretch to pull away from the Lopes in the latter half of the game. The matchup concluded the final matchup in the 3 game series between Louisville and GCU.
Louisville was lead by big man Ray Spalding, who achieved career highs in points (23) and rebounds (16). For the most part, the Lopes kept the Cardinal offense in check allowing Louisville to shoot (4-19) from 4 and 44.1% overall from the field.
The Lopes had ample opportunities to create separation and take back control of the game. However, the Lopes failed to consistently make key shots and did not generate consistent offense outside of sophomore winger Oscar Frayer, who led the Lopes with 14 points on 6-8 shooting. The Lopes are currently in their first year of postseason eligibility and head coach Dan Majerle hopes help make his teams competitive against advanced competition like Louisville. The Lopes are still seeking for a win against a team that ranks in the top 200.
The Lopes will head back west to play Morgan State in the New Orleans Casino Arena in Las Vegas. Louisville will finish their non-conference slate in a huge road matchup against in state rival Kentucky.