Espanola, N.M.-Arizona Christian University rallied from 15 points behind with seven minutes left in the first half and outscored University of the Southwest (1-1) from Hobbs, New Mexico, 60-41, in the second half enroute to a 104-88 non-conference victory over the Mustangs, Saturday, November 3, at the Santa Claran Classic hosted by Northern New Mexico College in Espanola, New Mexico.
Led by second-year head coach Jerry Conner, Arizona Christian travels to southern California to play a non-conference game against California State University-San Marcos at Mira Costa College in Oceanside, Tuesday, November 13, at 8:30 p.m. Arizona time.
Six Firestorm players scored 10 or more points for the second consecutive night, and ACU made 16 three-pointers in the game, eight in each half, while USW made 11 from long range, but just one in the second half. ACU made 34 of 72 total shots (.472), an outstanding 16 of 34 from behind the three-point arc (.471) and 20 of 36 free throws (.556), survived 24 turnovers and stole the ball from Southwest 14 times.
Southwest made 31 of its 80 shots (.388), 11 of 32 from three-point range (.344) and 15 of 23 from the free throw stripe (.652), committed 28 turnovers and outrebounding ACU, 53-47.
Senior guard Paula Clendaniel (Tucson, Ariz./Cienega H.S./York College (Neb.) scored a career-high 21 points with 7 three-pointers in 12 attempts, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out five assists. Freshman point guard Kiara White (Phoenix, Ariz./Washington H.S.) contributed 14 points, one three-pointer, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 23 minutes of play, and sophomore forward Stephanie Brimhall (Gilbert, Ariz./Perry H.S.) added 14 points on 5 of 6 shots, and one steal. Sophomore forward Sarah Beth Hock (Gilbert, Ariz./Perry H.S.), ACU's
leading rebounder and second-leading scorer last season as a freshman, finished with nine points, a team-high 10 rebounds and two steals.
Playing in her home state, junior guard Tenisha Royston (Shiprock, N.M./Shiprock H.S./Scottsdale CC) scored a season-best 12 points on 3 of 4 shots and 6 of 8 free throws and had two rebounds, four assists, one blocked shot and two steals. Freshman guard Gabby Evans (Phoenix, Ariz./Arcadia H.S.) tossed in 10 points and had three rebounds, two assists and three steals, and junior forward Aria Ham (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain H.S./Arizona Western College) also scored 10 points with one three-pointer and gathered five rebounds and stole the ball from USW three times.
Senior guard Jessica Largo (Gallup, N.M./Rehoboth Christian School), also playing in her home state, finished with nine points, 3 three-pointers and four rebounds. Junior guard Jubilee Sutherland (Glennallen, Alaska/Glennallen H.S./Eastern Wyoming College) added two points, five rebounds and three assists.
Three Mustangs accounted for 70 points and 19 rebounds, led by 5-6 senior guard Nikki Sylvester who finished with a game-high 32 points on 11 of 20 shots, with four three-pointers, two rebounds and two assists. Junior guard Anika Hostos totaled 19 points, 3 three-pointers, 9 rebounds, three assists and two steals, and freshman forward Roberta Ortiz also scored 19 points, and hit four three-pointers, gathered eight rebounds, and had two assists and one steal.
