Jovan Blacksher Jr. had 16 points as Grand Canyon easily defeated Grambling State, 74-53, in the season opener at home on Tuesday night.
Gabe McGlothan had 11 points off the bench for the Antelopes, who went ahead 40-18 at halftime to build a lead that held steady for the second half.
Prince Moss scored 10 points for the Tigers, while Tra’Michael Moton added 10 points. A.J. Taylor had three blocks.
The Antelopes are coming off coach Bryce Drew’s first year on the job, which ended with an NCAA Tournament berth and first-round loss to Iowa.
Blacksher Jr. returns with a new-look roster around him. Among the newcomers is Holland Woods, a local product who transferred to GCU after spending a year with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Woods started and on a 2-for-11 shooting night, scored four points to go along with a team-high four assists and five rebounds.
Grand Canyon’s defense held Grambling State to 37% shooting and outrebounded the Tigers 43-30.
GCU returns to the court at home Friday against North Florida.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.