PHOENIX – In their first-ever meeting, Trinity Western beat No. 20-ranked Grand Canyon University 29-22 Tuesday evening at Halo Field on the GCU campus. 
 
The wins sees TWU go for 1-1 on their two-match trip to Arizona after a hard-fought 49-27 loss to No. 9 Arizona on Saturday. 
 
With the score tied 22-22 late in the contest, Connor Gibbons sealed the win for the Spartans, dotting down in the 76th minute. Brady Howlett hit the conversion from just inside the sideline to put TWU ahead by seven. A long GCU passage of play that went well beyond 80 minutes ultimately ended with Howlett kicking to touch shortly after a Connor Bernardin interception ended the home side's attack. 
 
TWU's Lynden Duggan finished the evening with two tries, while Genaro Gandolfo and Isaiah de Peiza also found the try zone. 
 
The Spartans built a 12-0 first half lead with Gandolfo (10th minute) and de Peiza (25th minute) getting the TWU offence rolling early. However, GCU struck back to even the scoreline 12-12 at halftime. 
 
After GCU went ahead 15-12, Duggan scored two tries in eight minutes to give the Spartans a 22-15 lead. After a GCU try brought the game back level, the stage was set for Gibbons' late-game heroics. 
 
The win is TWU's second victory over a D1A school in as many years, having knocked off Central Washington 14-10 last year (Feb. 3, 2024). 
 
TWU Scoring
10th – Genaro Gandolfo TRY (Brady Howlett conversion) (7-0)
25th – Isaiah de Peiza TRY (12-0)
56th – Lynden Duggan TRY (17-15)
64th – Lynden Duggan TRY (22-15)
76th – Connor Gibbons TRY (Brady Howlett conversion) (29-22)

QUOTABLE
Andrew Evans, TWU Head Coach
"I think today was the start of a very healthy new rivalry with GCU. It was a very intense match, GCU full of energy and in-your-face rugby. We started the match off well, with Josiah (Levale) sticking to our game plan, enabling our wingers to get into the match early. Isaiah (de Peiza) had a number of good carries early that helped us get on the scoreboard first. Then, we let the calls that went against us rattle our composure and GCU got back into the game and took the lead. Genaro (Gandolfo) did a great job of refocusing our squad and we played a better second half against a determined GCU group. The calls didn't always go our way, but the men really played well to get the win.

"Again, our freshman of Riku (Konrad), Caleb (Whitton), Caleb (Graham) and John (Paterson) had tremendous outings. Also Jacob Goroza played a full 80 minutes and made a massive impact.

"We started off the match with a prayer with GCU and afterwards had a meal with them, which provided great bonding between both teams. GCU's coach Sean O'Leary leads a fine program and we hope to host them in Canada in the near future.

"Finally, I want to give a special thank you to our therapst PK (Pandher) who helped patch up and mend our players to be able to play on short turn around, having just played on Saturday. We wouldn't have won today without her skill and care on this tour."
 
NEXT UP
The Spartans are back on the road Mar. 8 when they travel to play currently No. 11-ranked Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. 
 
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.
 
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  
 
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