CROWNPOINT, N.M. — On November 21, fans were treated to an electric day of basketball as Navajo Technical University took on Grand Canyon University–Club in a thrilling exhibition matchup that came down to the wire.
GCU came out firing, controlling most of the first half with sharp shooting and steady tempo. But just before halftime, the Skyhawks came alive. NTU turned up the defensive pressure, hit key buckets inside, and cut the lead to a manageable margin setting the stage for a dramatic second half.
When the teams returned to the floor after halftime, both teams continued trading basket after basket, keeping fans on their toes. NTU found its rhythm from beyond the arc, knocking down threes that brought the Skyhawks within one- or two-points multiple times. The gym roared with every shot as NTU threatened to flip the momentum.
Despite their relentless push, NTU couldn’t quite break through to grab the lead. GCU capitalized on a few extra opportunities down the stretch, holding onto a narrow advantage and escaping with a tight 83–81 win.
President Buu Nygren attended the game and was energized by every moment of the hard-fought matchup. After the final buzzer, he met the Skyhawks on the court, offering high fives and congratulating them for their grit, heart, and near comeback. It was an impressive showing for NTU basketball — one that Skyhawk Nation can be proud of.