Grand Canyon University stayed in the Gold Coast Conference hunt with a 59-26 defeat of Cal State Fullerton 59-26 at GCU’s Colter Field Saturday. 

Battling unseasonably high temperatures, the Antelopes scored first and never looked back. GCU played another week missing a few key players as the team slowly returns to health after battling nagging injuries as well as a wave of flu that has struck much of Arizona.

From the opening kickoff, it was apparent that GCU wanted to erase the poor showing of the previous week against Long Beach State. The Antelopes scored less than five minutes into the match and quickly took a 7-0 lead on a try by fast wing Ricky Wisdom. Tough running and defending in the centers by junior Ryan Canino (playing his first substantial minutes of the season) and freshman Loui Natera helped power several first half tries. 

GCU followed with tries by sophomore wing Dru Pelter and sophomore U20 All-American hooker Darien Pickett. Pickett’s 50-meter try showcased rugged physical running and speed on the breakaway. Freshman flyhalf Ben Pensyl also slotted a penalty kick and Antelopes led 24-0 approximately 20 minutes into the match. Pelter, Pensyl and Natera added additional first half tries and GCU led 45-5 at the break.

“It was nice to see a return to the tough physicality that has been the hallmark of our young team," said GCU head coach Ryan Kelly.  “We still have a lot to learn, but the effort was there today."

The second half saw continued pressure from the GCU forwards as they began to exert themselves in the scrums.  GCU took the lead to 59-12 on a try by sophomore flanker Nick Heinrich.  Fullerton remained engaged ending the scoring with a late try and producing the 59-26 final score.

Also in the Gold Coast, Long Beach State slammed San Diego 46-13, allowing GCU to open up a seven point lead over USD in the standings. Tries from James Antony, Max Rodriguez, Anthony Simeone, and Roland Blackiston scored first-half tries, and Blackiston added two more in the second half. Cameron Guirguis also touched down, and flyhalf Steven Bodley kicked 16 points. CSULB is 5-0 and comfortably in 1st. USC, idle this week, is 2nd. 

Santa Barbara City College got their 1st win of the season, slamming UC Irvine 78-7. Flyhalf Devin Slubowski scored two early tries, and doubles were also claimed by center Austin Keil, fullback Erik Cortinas, lock Nathan Chen, and sub Hayden Potgeiter.      

So over the next three weeks Long Beach, USC, and GCU will play only one conference game, and San Diego will play two. SBCC and Fullerton could both catch USD for a semifinal spot, but USD can eliminate Fullerton with a win March 12, and would only need SBCC to lose to Long Beach State on the same day to ensure a playoff spot.