OREM, Utah – Grand Canyon University converted on several key possessions down the stretch to hold off Utah Valley University, 83-74, in WAC men's basketball on Thursday night at the UCCU Center.
 
Zach Nelson and Marcel Davis scored 20 points apiece for the Wolverines (6-10, 1-1) with Nelson also pulling down 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. DeWayne Russell finished with 24 to lead all scorers and Jerome Garrison added 20 for the Antelopes (11-8, 2-0).

"I thought Grand Canyon was very aggressive. They came in with a lot of confidence and determination and we couldn't make the defensive stops we needed," said UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker. "I thought we worked hard, were very unselfish and played as a unit, but we just came up bit short."

After entering halftime deadlocked at 35-35, Grand Canyon shot 57.1 percent in the second half (16-for-28) while also hitting 12-of-13 from the line after halftime.
 
Utah Valley trailed 50-45 when Davis scored on back-to-back driving layups before Donte Williams' reverse layup gave Utah Valley a 51-50 lead. It was the only time the Wolverines would lead in the second half and lasted just one possession before Russell hit two free throws to see the lead change hands for the eighth and final time.
 
Nelson buried a three with 8:56 left to tie the game for the 10th and final time, at 56-56, before a Ryan Majerle 3-pointer on the next possession to gave Grand Canyon the lead right back.
 
Utah Valley stayed close behind Nelson and Davis, who combined to score 34 of their combined 40 points in the second half. Nelson knocked down his third 3-pointer of the game with 3:02 remaining to get Utah Valley within a point, 70-69, but the 'Lopes again answered with a three, this time from Daniel Alexander.
 
It was a two-point game, 73-71, after a pair of Davis free throws but one last 3-point dagger fell for Grand Canyon, with Joshua Braun giving the 'Lopes a 76-71 lead with 2:01 to go.
 
Russell scored 17 of his 24 in the second half and hit 9-of-10 from the line in the half and 11-for-12 overall. Grand Canyon converted on 17-of-19 from the line (89.5 percent) while UVU finished 19-for-23 (82.6 percent).
 
Mitch Bruneel scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds for Utah Valley while Alexander had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Garrison's 20-point night came on 9-for-12 shooting from the floor. Both teams took care of the basketball with the Wolverines turning it over a season-low six times and the 'Lopes giving it away just seven times.
 
In a tight first half, Grand Canyon led 19-16  following a Russell 3-pointer before the Wolverines ran off 10 straight to lead 26-19, their largest advantage of the game.
 
Utah Valley hits the road next week for their first conference road games. They play at Texas-Pan American on Thursday, Jan. 22 and at New Mexico State on Saturday, Jan. 24 in a game that will air nationally on the American Sports Network.