Grand Canyon regained its swagger to open the second half Saturday night, and let the rest of the Western Athletic Conference know that it is ready to make a run at its first NCAA Tournament appearance.

After a 74-64 victory over Utah Valley before 929 fans at GCU Arena, the Antelopes gain their first-ever No. 1 seed in the WAC Tournament that starts Thursday.

They got the top seed thanks to nemesis New Mexico State’s win over Dixie State on Saturday night. GCU, which lost Friday to Utah Valley, shares the WAC regular-season title with the Wolverines.

Both teams get byes into Friday’s semifinals in Las Vegas at Orleans Arena.

Afterwards, coach Bryce Drew, in his first year leading the program, took the microphone and called the GCU fans, “The best crowd in the nation,” and led the four seniors in prayer.

GCU (15-6, 9-3) started tentative Saturday, making six turnovers in the first seven minutes, before it started to chip away at a 10-point deficit.

Forward Gabe McGlothan gave the Antelopes a boost off the bench with his rebounding and hustle and grit.

That seemed to be infectious as the Antelopes dominated the paint and, after taking a five-point lead at the break, got out and running to open the second half with fast-break layups and 3-pointers.

Senior big men Alessandro Lever and Asbjorn Midtgaard came through when the Lopes needed them most.

Midtgaard had 15 points and 11 rebounds after having just eight points and six rebounds in Friday’s 59-55 loss.

Lever had six straight points after the Wolverines cut it to eight with six minutes left.

His driving shot with 3:37 left gave GCU a 69-55 lead.

Lever finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.

Jovan Blacksher Jr., had 14 points and five assists with backcourt mate Mikey Dixon scoring 10 points.

GCU made 6 of 17 3-pointers.

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