Under the Radar Game of the Day – Tuesday, December 22: Grand Canyon vs Marshall

Under the Radar Game of the Day: Grand Canyon vs Marshall, 10:30 PM Eastern

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Tonight’s Under the Radar Game of the Day comes from Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada as the Team of the People, the Grand Canyon Antelopes, battle the Thundering Herd of Marshall in the championship game of the Global Sports Classic.  Grand Canyon is coming off of their second huge win of the past week, having upended the Houston Cougars by a 78-69 score in last night’s semifinal.  The ‘Lopes were led by Dewayne Russell in the win, as he scored 20 points while dishing out 6 assists.  The Houston win came just a few nights after the biggest win in program history when the ‘Lopes won at San Diego State, 52-45.  Keonta Vernon led the way in that game, with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  If Russell, Vernon, and the rest of Thunder Dan’s team can perform close to the way they have their past two games, a championship could be in store tonight.  And with the championship comes even more reason why GCU should be granted a waiver for NCAA Tournament eligibility this season.  (For the case on why the waiver is the right thing for the NCAA to do, read this.)

Tonight’s opponent in the championship game is Marshall.  The Thundering Herd defeated Wyoming last night 90-82 to advance and run their record to 4-7 on the season.  It says something about just how well Grand Canyon has played this year when we are able to note that if Marshall wins tonight, it will be the Thundering Herd’s best win on the season to date.  Marshall was led last night by James Kelly, who had a career night.  Kelly scored 38 points while pulling down 13 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season.  If he is even close to being as good tonight as he was last, the ‘Lopes will certainly have their hands full in trying to contain him and pick up the victory.