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PHOENIX – The North Dakota State men's basketball team built a 13-point lead in the first half, but defending WAC champion and preseason favorite Grand Canyon University stormed back to earn an 86-71 victory on Saturday evening at GCU Arena.
 
NDSU senior Boden Skunberg finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore Damari Wheeler-Thomas had 19 points and three assists for the Bison.
 
The Bison led by as many as 13 points in the first half, going up 40-27 with three minutes left in the half. Grand Canyon closed with an 8-0 run to cut the Bison lead to 40-35 at halftime.
 
The Lopes came back to take the lead at 44-43 with 16:40 remaining. It was a three-point game at 71-68 with just under five minutes on the clock. Grand Canyon closed the game on a 15-3 run.
 
NDSU led for nearly 20 minutes of the contest, while Grand Canyon was ahead for 18 minutes. After shooting 58 percent in the opening half, the Bison finished with 46-percent shooting overall. GCU shot 49 percent for the game.
 
NDSU will play at San Jose State on Monday at 10 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. PT.