PHOENIX - The IU Indianapolis men's basketball team tried to play role of Grinch in their final game ahead of the Christmas holiday, but fell short at Grand Canyon in a 91-78 defeat. Junior Kyler D'Augustino scored a team-high 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting and freshman Maguire Mitchell chimed in with 16 points in the loss. 

Jaden Henley had a game-high 29 points and eight rebounds for Grand Canyon (8-4) and Brian Moore Jr. added 17 points. 

"(GCU) is a really good team. They have a lot of size and they really attacked us off the dribble," head coach Ben Howlett said. "I thought we did a good job of forcing some turnovers and creating some havoc, but we didn't always capitalize on our opportunities. 

"I'm proud of our guys. I think this game continues to prepare us for league play. Now we focus on getting home, getting some rest and getting some league wins."

IU Indy (4-10) trailed by as many as 15 in the opening half before scrapping and clawing their way back in the game by ramping up the turnovers and warming up from deep. The Jags trailed 48-39 at intermission after Henley scored on a coast-to-coast drive as time expired. GCU pushed the lead to 11 on the initial possession of the second half before the Jags scored seven straight to nudge within four. The Antelopes rebuilt a double-digit lead before the Jags once again fired back. 

A quick 9-2 burst turned GCU's 65-55 lead into a scant 67-64 advantage with 9:29 to play. Mitchell capped the run by hitting a three, stealing the inbounds pass and immediately burying another three. However, GCU received an early Christmas present when Mitchell was assessed a quick technical foul as he yelled in celebration in the direction of his own bench. GCU scored four straight points, all from the free throw line, that ultimately ignited a 15-2 run over the next six minutes to end the upset bid. 

A Kameron Tinsley midrange jumper with 7:49 to play had the Jaguars within five, but momentum clearly turned on GCU's next trip when Nana Owusu-Anane fought for an offensive rebound and spotted Dusty Stromer for an open three, extending the lead to eight. 

GCU shot 65 percent from the floor in the second half and finished with a 26-9 margin in free throws made. The Jaguars were whistled for 22 fouls, leading to 30 GCU free throws while IU Indy earned just 15 foul shots. 

Sophomore Aiden Miller came off the bench to score 11 points and Tinsley also finished in double-figures with 10. Senior Finley Woodward had four points, nine rebounds and seven assists, piloting the offense while playing 33 minutes. The Jags shot 45 percent overall and 11-of-33 (33.3 percent) from three. 

The Jaguars will return to action after Christmas when they travel to Cleveland State on Monday (Dec. 29) for a 7:00 p.m. tip on ESPN+.