2023-24 WAC Men's Basketball Release - Week 8

GCU, TARLETON ST., UTAH TECH OPEN WAC PLAY 2-0
With the first official week of conference play in the books in the 2023-24 season, Grand Canyon, Tarleton State and Utah Tech posted matching 2-0 records in WAC matchups to lead the league standings prior to the resumption of conference action in January.

GCU HEADS TOWARD NEW YEAR LEADING THE WAC RESUME SEEDING SYSTEM
In the latest WAC Résumé Seeding System rankings that were compiled on Dec. 26, Grand Canyon extended its advantage with 3.80 points to be the only team with a positive point value. Tarleton State was second with -0.14 points, followed by Seattle U with -0.15 points. UT Arlington (-0.40 points) and Utah Valley (-0.43 points) rounded out the most recent top five teams in the latest seeding system rankings.

LOPES WIN SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE GAME OVERALL
Grand Canyon kept its active winning rolling with a seventh straight victory over all games, picking up a 76-64 win against former WAC foe Sam Houston on Dec. 20 in Phoenix. Four Lopes scored in double figures in the win over the Bearkats, led by the 19 points of sophomore forward Duke Brennan. Brennan was named the WAC Newcomer of the Week following the performance. GCU has averaged 79.4 points as a team during the winning streak, shooting an even 47.0 percent from the floor over the past seven outings.

TYSON ERUPTS FOR 33 POINTS IN SEATTLE U WIN AGAINST LOUISIANA TECH
Seattle U guard Cameron Tyson enjoyed his best scoring performance of the 2023-24 season to date, tallying 33 points as part of a 79-73 win for the Redhawks over Louisiana Tech on Dec. 20. Tyson captured his first WAC Player of the Week award of this season after hitting all 13 of his attempts from the free-throw line while pulling down eight rebounds. Tyson also became the program’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers with a triple late in the second half against Louisiana Tech.

DANIELS NOTCHES SECOND 30-POINT GAME OF THE YEAR FOR CBU
Transfer guard Dominique Daniels Jr. tallied his second 30-point scoring effort of the season for California Baptist, contributing 32 points to the cause for the Lancers in a setback against Western Kentucky on Dec. 19. Daniels hit 10-of-19 shots from the floor, along with 9-of-11 attempts from the free-throw line, to eclipse the 30-point plateau. Daniels previously scored an even 30 points in a conference matchup with Utah Tech on Dec. 6.

WAC IN THE NATIONAL STATS RANKINGS
Stephen F. Austin ranked third in turnovers forced per game (18.42) in the latest NCAA Division I national statistics report on Dec. 24. The Lumberjacks were also ranked sixth in bench points (39.17). Grand Canyon was fourth in free throws attempted (28.1) and free throws made (20.5) per game. 

BACK TO THE COURT AND HEADING TO THE NEW YEAR
WAC teams return to action in the final full week of nonconference play during the 2023-24 campaign. Tarleton State travels to LMU and Utah Valley hits the road for Boise State on Dec. 29. An action packed Saturday will follow on Dec. 30 with Abilene Christian at Western Kentucky, FIU at Utah Tech, California Baptist traveling to NM State, Seattle U on the road at UTEP and Grand Canyon hosting Louisiana Tech. Nonconference play will wrap up with UT Arlington venturing to No. 21/24 Texas on New Year’s Day.