BOX SCORE | PODCAST

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — On Saturday night in Pacific West Conference play, The Dominican University of California men's basketball team fell short to Grand Canyon University, 68-60. Freshman center Connor Haysbert finished the evening with a career-high 19 points and tied for the team lead with five rebounds in his first career start.

The first half saw a close up and down game for the two teams. Although the 'Lopes (8-6/3-1) were very powerful in the half beyond the arc with six three-point baskets, the Penguins (0-16/0-6) showed their frontcourt presence with sophomore center Killian Larson and Haysbert, each with nine points in the half. Haysbert made an important jump shot on the baseline in the closing seconds of the half, cutting Grand Canyon's lead to 34-32.

Haysbert continued to make big plays in the second half, making important layups that allowed the Penguins to keep pace with GCU, including two consecutive layups to cut the 'Lopes lead to 60-59 with 2:30 remaining.

However, the three-point attack from Grand Canyon didn't stop in the first half, as the 'Lopes matched the six in the second half. The most crucial three pointer came from junior guard Kyle Speed, as his shot with less than a minute stretched the lead to the eventual final score of 68-60.

GCU was led by  sophomore guard Brad Carroll's 16 points and five rebounds.

Larson added 13 points and five rebounds. Junior guard Xander McNally and senior forward Leon Hart each grabbed five rebounds apiece and McNally dished out six assists, matching his season-high.

Next for Dominican are the Vulcans from the University of Hawai'i, Hilo on Thursday, Jan. 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Conlan Center. In the first meeting between the two teams this season, the Vulcans came out on top 75-53 in the PacWest opener on Jan. 8. Games will be broadcast live on http://radio.dominican.edu and live video will be available at www.dominicanathletics.com/livevideo.